Honiara City Council (HCC) has extended the Rapid Employment Project (REP) for another five years with the World Bank.
The decision was made after the full council meeting last week.
This was confirmed by the deputy City Mayor Eddie Ngava.
“After our meeting last week, we come up with a resolution to extend another five years term for Rapid Employment Project (REP) as it continues to make an impact in communities in and around Honiara.
“REP has been making positive contributions and changes to Honiara communities and we now engaging it for another term.”
REP project managers Salvador Jiao and Nonoy Garcia earlier covered the funding aspect of the project to its groundwork in the capital.
“After some months of discussion with the government and the donors led by the WB, the project has received a positive feedback.”
REP was a US$3.2 million dollar project started several years ago; it was originally scheduled to close at the end of June this year.
The objective of the project is to assist targeted vulnerable urban populations to increase their incomes through the provision of short-term employment and improve their knowledge, experience and basic employment skills that are valued in the workplace and society.
The funding will help finance a rapid and targeted labor-based public works project for vulnerable populations in and around the capital city of Honiara.
The support will serve to mitigate the impact of Solomon Islands Government austerity measures on the possible re-emergence of social unrest and instability by increasing employment opportunities for marginal groups (particularly youth and women) and improving access to key services in poorer communities where violence had been previously focused.
By CHARLEY PIRINGI
