THE country’s flagship sustainable development project was highlighted at the third international conference on Small Island Developing States(SIDS) this week in Apia, Samoa.
The local delegation to the conference headed by fisheries minister Alfred Ghiro gave the opening remarks highlighting why this project has been seen as NCRA’s flagship project that aims to achieve the goals of sustainable development in Solomon Islands.
“Tina River Hydro is Solomon Islands flagship sustainable development project. One that cuts across all sectors, contributing in one project to the fields of both energy and infrastructure while building in towards the overall goal of national sustainable development,” minister Ghiro said.
He said Solomon Islands government has recognised that a complex project like the Tina Hydro would not have come about without partnerships.
“The Tina project has involved a number of partners including the Australian Government, European Union investment bank, the World Bank and IFC and land owning tribes and communities of Central Guadalcanal.”
He added the government is also working very closely with land owning groups to ensure the country’s flagship project will be seen as a model project not for the country but for SIDS who at the conference have all been fighting to achieve the theme of the conference which lies on sustainable developments that relies on genuine and durable partnerships.
Mr Ghiro highlighted some of the challenges, success and achievements of the project.
He said the Tina project will produce 80 giga watt hours of electricity energy in a year of average rainfall and intended to be operational to provide sustainable clean green power energy into the 22nd century.
“Tina Hydro will provide a cross cutting boost to our country’s economy…ensuring reliable power that will be stable both in quality and price.
“…we look forward to the ability to plan our economy on the basis of predictable power costs and predictable foreign currency outflows,” Ghiro added.
He said Tina Hydro is unprecedented for Solomon Islands as it is one that is built on the foundation of a large range of deep and innovative partnerships over the years.
“NCRA’s object has been to ensure comprehensive preparation and strong design and execution of the ‘Biuld Own Operate Transfer’( BOOT) model project of this Tina project.”
The panelist of the side event includes Tina hydro advisor Mr Roughan, Minister Ghiro,PS of environment Dr Melchior Mataki, Driector of Energy Korinihona and Kochiabola Tribe of central Guadalcanal representative Mr Fred Lahi.
Meanwhile positive feedback have been received from other country delegates who see this project as a totally new approach and unique one from what they have been doing in their own countries.
By DANIEL NAMOSUAIA
In Apia, Samoa