The Noro Town Council (NTC) in Western Province has appealed to residents to respect newly installed traffic signboards.
This followed reports of vandalism less than a week after their installation within the township.
Town Clerk Gavin Totu said some individuals had deliberately damaged the new signs by peeling off parts of them, an act he described as vandalism that undermines Noro Town’s development efforts.
“Some people have peeled off the signboards. This really paints a bad picture and damages the reputation of Noro Town’s new development,” Mr Totu told Solomon Star in a recent interview.
“This is vandalism, and people in the community must learn to respect public property. Not everyone is involved, but only certain individuals who continue to engage in this kind of unlawful behaviour,” he said.
Mr Totu added, it was disappointing to see such actions repeatedly occurring and urged the community to take pride in public infrastructure.
“I appeal to the people of Noro to respect these infrastructure developments. We should be proud of them instead of destroying them,” he said.
He also called on the Noro Police to continue regular patrols, acknowledging the challenges faced by the force.
“We understand the police may be outnumbered, but continued patrols are important to stop these activities,” he said.
Mr Totu added that while Noro is home to a diverse population, responsibility ultimately lies with the community to protect public property and support positive development in the province.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Noro Community Advisory Committee (CAC), Mr Isaiah Alepio, described the Noro Township Road Improvement Project as a major milestone and a significant facelift for the town.
“The installation of road signage, including road names and directional signs, highlights the importance of road safety and helps guide visitors to Noro,” Mr Alepio said.
While acknowledging that the project had progressed smoothly with minimal disruption, Mr Alepio expressed concern over the damage to some of the signs.
“This is very concerning. These signages are the first of their kind installed anywhere in Solomon Islands, and communities must take pride and responsibility in looking after them,” he said.
Mr Alepio said the community is now looking forward to the official commissioning and handover of the project, expected in early 2026.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID) has confirmed that the Noro Township Road Improvement Project is 95 per cent complete and is expected to be officially completed in the first quarter of next year.
According to MID, installation of road signs has been completed, road barriers are about 90 per cent finished, and road marking works are ongoing and currently about 30 per cent complete.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
