THE site which used to accommodate the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) staff housing quarters just across the road from the National Referral Hospital will be developed into a temporary carpark for the Pacific Games.
Demolition work is underway on the site. MHMS has recently denied knowing anything about the demolition work or who was behind it and what new development will be carried out on the site. The Honiara City Council also denied having any knowledge of the demolition and who was behind it and what development activity would occur on the land.
But in a Press Conference at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet last Friday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Referral Hospital, Dr George Malefoasi finally let out the truth and that is, the site will be developed into a temporary carpark for the Pacific Games.
“The short-term plan for the site after the demolition of the houses is to develop it into a carpark for the Pacific Games. The fencing of the site will be done soon.”
“On the eastern side of the MHMS Headquarters, we have evacuated staff, including some illegal settlers.
“Now they have moved out.
ABOVE: Demolition work on the site is still underway to pave way for the construction of the temporary carpark for the Pacific Games. Photo Lachlan Eddie Hoe.
“What we are waiting to do now is to do proper demolition – dig out the full structures of houses and clear the debris and we will fence it.
“At the moment, there is the proposal to use the site for car parking during the games,” he said.
Dr Malefoasi said the long-term plan for the site is to establish a new MHMS headquarters or build a complex that will house the Disease Control Centre.
“That is basically what the ministry is looking at the moment for the site,” he added.
By LACHLAN EDDIE HOE
Solomon Star, Honiara
