JED ENTERPRISE Ltd – a Honiara-based road construction and maintenance company – has reportedly earned the attention of the World Bank.
The company is doing road repairs in the Auki township and as far north as Gwaunaru’u Airport and Kwaibala in the south.
The quality of workmanship by JED Enterprises Ltd on the roads around Auki Township has apparently caught the attention of the World Bank representative who was on a recent visit there.
“The team began asking who was responsible for the road maintenance in Auki. A company representative met up with the World Bank official who later invited JED Enterprises Ltd to attend their training program.
“We want you to move up to the next level in road construction and repairs. We have not seen the standard and quality of workmanship you have demonstrated here anywhere in Solomon Islands, including in Honiara,” the company representative told Solomon Star this week.
“Their words are like a breath of fresh air,” the man, a former heavy equipment operator at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, said.
The man said JED ENTERPRISES LTD will be completing its road repairs contract by the end of this month – two months ahead of schedule.
“This is a huge savings for the government,” the company representative said.
He said the World Bank which helps fund some of the road maintenance and repairs in Solomon Islands is concerned at the level and standard of workmanship in roads in the country.
The man said the practice of giving lucrative road contracts to the “who-you-know” network has helped erode public confidence in the companies doing these sorts of work.
“Like they say, the beauty is in the beholder’s eye, I am pleased that the World Bank has recognised one of our locally-owned and run companies. It’s a great feeling to be part of a small company yet determined to make a difference,” the man said.
By ALFRED SASAKO
Newsroom, Honiara
