Western Provincial Premier Hon. Billy Veo has reaffirmed his government’s determination to resolve Gizo’s long-standing water crisis, assuring the Western Provincial Assembly that concrete actions are being taken to secure a lasting solution.
In his address to the Assembly on Monday, Premier Veo admitted that progress has been slower than anticipated due to bureaucratic delays, but stressed that meaningful groundwork is already in motion.
“Gizo Water too is taking a bit longer than we would like, but that is to be expected,” Premier Veo said.
He outlined several initiatives currently underway to establish a sustainable water source for Gizo, the provincial capital.
Previous attempts by the Water Services Division under the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), with support from the Pacific Community (SPC), included test drilling at Mile 3 and Mile 6. However, the results were not promising.
To advance the process, the Provincial Government has since partnered with Solomon Water and engineering consultants SMEC to use more advanced geophysical methods.
“Solomon Water has now employed seismic survey techniques, and five to six sites have been identified for further drilling,” Veo explained.
“A technical team comprising MMERE, SIWA, and SPC officials visited on 29th September for consultations, and we await the results once those sites are fully explored.” Premier Veo added.
The Premier also confirmed that the option of a seawater desalination plant remains under active consideration.
He said the Government of India, through the MFAT/MMERE taskforce, has yet to respond to the proposal for support.
“The desalination option is still very much on the table, but the Government of India has not yet responded.
“We continue to anticipate any intervention from their end,” he said.
Earlier in August, a delegation from Jiangsu Fenghai New Energy Seawater Desalination Development Co. Ltd of China conducted a three-day technical visit to Gizo to assess the feasibility of a pilot desalination project.
The visit was jointly hosted by the Gizo Kolombangara Constituency (GKC) and the Western Provincial Government, including site assessments and community consultations in Babanga and Nusabaruku.
The delegation’s program was coordinated by GKC Finance Manager Mr. Tamisia Luxton, Constituency Project Officer Mr. Prasanna Lezutuni, and Constituency Development Officer Mr. Alphonse Wale.
However, no official updates have yet been released by the Gizo Kolombangara Constituency or the Western Provincial Government on the progress of the proposed desalination project following the Chinese firm’s visit.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
