THE first ever Interlocking Block Pavement (IBP) project works carried out in front of the Auki Community High School in Malaita Province is expected to be completed this week.
The IBP project is the first to be constructed at the Malaita Provincial Capital of Auki.
Katahira & Engineers International INGEROSEC Corporation has been tasked to undertake the JICA-funded project.
The project is implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID).
The IBP is a type of road pavement with a surface of concrete blocks. The pilot project involving IBP was carried out on the stretch of the road behind the Point Cruz Hot Bread Kitchen in Honiara in 2020.
The second IBP project was carried out on the in-yard rads of the Multi-purpose Futsal Hall at Panatina in 2022.
An IBP Road is said to be durable and suits connecting roads but not suitable for high-speed road pavements due to unevenness.
It as revealed that if Solomon Islands roads were made of IBP, the strength of the road surfaces would not deteriorate as is the case now because of the quality of the blocks which is more accessible.
IBP blocks are said to be cheaper and can be fabricated locally since all the required resources are available in- country.
If any blocks are broken by chance, they can be patch-worked or replaced by new ones. The work of laying concrete blocks is labor-intensive and therefore creates jobs for locals.
The construction team said this type of IBP project is highly recommended as the best choice for Solomon Islands when it comes to choosing the design and type of road pavements for the country.
This is because it is not only durable but it does not require more machineries to construct, which is an advantage for our rural areas.
It only requires more laborers which is a good thing for the employment purposes and furthermore, it is visually beautiful and makes streets look more attractive.
Elizabeth Rokosina, a female construction worker within the team said, students of Auki Community High School and residents of the provincial capital must look after this pavement very well because they are so privileged to have it and for free.
“We are so privileged to have JICA funding this project for us and so we must look after it carefully.
“We must have the sense of ownership over this new pavement, we recommend that our people should cooperate with the school to look after it like if you see any problem that needs maintenance like broken blocks then we should report it so that the Island Engineering company can come and fix it.”
The official handing over ceremony of this new IBP pavement from the construction team to Auki Community High School will be held on Thursday 26 September.
By IAN LADDS OSO
Solomon Star, Honiara
