THE project involving the Bina Harbour Tuna Plant and the road project from Dala to Atori in Malaita Province will cost around $2.5 billion.
Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele revealed the estimated costs upon his and his delegation’s arrival on Sunday from his first overseas trip to Dubai this year to attend the World Government Summit (WGS).
The overseas trip was dubbed fruitful and will be beneficial to the country in terms of infrastructure developments.
The PM, when attending the WGS, also sought funding assistance from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
And during the press conference held at the VIP Lounge of the Honiara International Departure terminal said;
“Bina Harbour and Tuna Plant Project worth USD235 million (approximately SBD2.2 billion) and Dala to Atori Road worth USD75 million (SBD642m),” said the PM.
For the Bina Harbour project, PM requested the assistance of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development to review the project proposal and to refine it as may be needed to make it a bankable project.
“I also requested the Fund to consider funding it and to also present it to their funding partners, such as the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), for possible co-financing.
“The Director General has agreed to discuss it with the Saudi Fund as well as with the Kuwait Fund following their review,” said PM Manele.
PM Manele noted the government provided a hard copy and an electronic copy of the proposal for their review and feedback.
Concerning the Dala to Atori road, PM also provided a hard copy as well as an electronic copy of the proposal to the ADFD.
“I advised the Director General and we have also provided the same to the Saudi Fund for Development and conveyed the message from the Saudi Fund for Development that they can co-finance the road project with the ADFD and that we should also approach the ADFD for co-financing with the SFD,” he added.
The Director General and his team understood the significance of these two projects to the Solomon Islands and to Malaita Province.
The director general directed his team to put both projects for discussion at the next meeting of the Gulf Development Funds for their collective consideration.
The Secretary to the Prime Minister for Special Duty Dr Sir Jimmie Rodgers will follow up on these projects regularly.
By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
