Australia has announced a further SBD$10 million in grant support to the Solomon Islands National Transport Fund to upgrade road infrastructure in Makira-Ulawa Province.
The funding will support road improvements in West Makira, from Waita to Marou Bay. The Australian High Commission and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development said the investment focuses on Solomonisation, creating opportunities for Solomon Islands companies, suppliers and workers to deliver the country's infrastructure priorities.
Minister for Infrastructure Development Hon Ricky Fuo'o said at a ceremony to mark the handover that the government would keep working to reopen and improve key roads, reconnect communities and stimulate economic activity.
Fuo'o said roads are a lifeline for communities across Solomon Islands, and so is investment in the local private sector to deliver the upgrades. He said the projects improve access to schools, clinics and markets while creating economic opportunities for people and companies.
The latest funding builds on Australia's SBD$100 million investment over the past two years to upgrade 15 key roads in Honiara and Malaita. The High Commission said local companies have been contracted and hundreds of local workers from communities along the roads employed, strengthening local skills and capability.
Member for West Makira and Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Hon Derek Manu'ari said the investment would help preserve essential road links connecting rural communities and supporting economic activity across Makira. He said the partnership between Australia and Solomon Islands continues to deliver infrastructure that makes a difference in people's daily lives.
Premier of Makira-Ulawa Province Hon Stanley Siapu said the people of the province understand how important it is to maintain the road network, and that good roads improve access to markets, schools, health services, economic opportunities and emergency and disaster response services.
Siapu thanked Australia for responding to the needs of the province and supporting safer and more reliable transport connections.
The High Commission said communities have reported shorter travel times, improved safety and lower costs for transporting goods following recent road upgrades in Malaita.
Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach said a defining feature of the partnership was that the work was being delivered by Solomon Islanders, for Solomon Islanders. He said local companies had invested in new equipment, strengthened their skills and taken on larger projects since the initiative began.
"Supporting Solomon Islands companies and workers to step up and deliver increasingly complex infrastructure is something Australia is proud to support. It is also why we continue to invest through the National Transport Fund and expand this approach across more provinces," Roach said.