THE construction phase of the 2023 Pacific Games main stadium had created over 100 job opportunities for locals in various construction areas while injecting more money into the economy over a period of six months.
During the same period, the project contractor of the Stadium Project has purchased 1,800 tons of cement and over 20,000 tons of sand and stone from local suppliers.
These positive developments were revealed by Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands Li Ming during the signing of the Implementation Agreement of the Solomon Islands National University Dormitory Buildings Project between the Solomon Islands National Hosting Authority and the Peoples Republic of China Embassy in Honiara on Friday 12 November.
The project when completed will initially house athletes and officials during the 2023 Pacific Games and will be handed over to the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) after the games to accommodate students.
The SB$172 million project will build 3 new 4-floor dormitories, one activity hall and one equipment house at the SINU Kukum Campus. When completed, it will provide 216 dormitory rooms, which will accommodate more than 900 students. It will also be equipped with all necessary furniture and sanitary facilities.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the additional support by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) comes at a time when the country needs support from its development partners to host the Games in 2023.
“Allow me to register my sincerest gratitude to the Government and people of the Republic of China for this timely assistance when we need it the most,” he said.
He added that the legacy that will be left by the Games will go a long way to boost the future accommodation services provided by the Solomon Islands National University.
Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Li Ming said his Government is very glad that this project will be used as the Games village during 2023 Pacific Games, which is the second main project the Chinese Government had supported for this important event.
“Education is of vital importance for social and economic development of a country. By providing assistance to the National University of Solomon Islands, we are glad to take a further step forward on our bilateral education cooperation,” Ambassador Ming said.
He added that China has the experience of hosting 2008 Olympic Games, and the 2022 Winter Olympic Games will be held in Beijing February next year, and Beijing will become the first city to hold both the summer and Winter Olympic Games.
“We would like to share with our Solomon Islands friends our successful experience,” he added.
It has been more than two years since the establishment of diplomatic relations and the China-Solomon Islands relations have achieved fruitful results of pragmatic cooperation.
