THE newly upgraded Commonwealth Streets that lead to and from the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) headquarters at Point Cruz was commissioned on Thursday.
The project, fully funded by the country’s leading State-Owned-Enterprise, was designed and implemented by the China Railway Construction Group within a two-month period. Its the first project of the China Railway in Solomon Islands, thus making the event a significant one.
It also includes the optimising of the drainage system in relevant areas.
Outgoing SIPA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eranda Kotelawala, in his remarks at the event, thanked the China Railway team, which he said were quite supportive as they also extended their job by going little beyond the contract to do the compacts free of charge.
Mr Kotelawala said the reasons for the uplifting of the Ports precinct is not only to have a smooth ride, but also to make it attractive.
“The upgrade project to uplift the ports precinct is not only to have a smooth ride, but also to uplift Honiara City, making the precinct streets in Honiara attractive and it includes the Solomon Scouts & Coastwatchers Memorial, the Ports Unity Square and Domestic Seaport Terminal.
“It has become an iconic area in Honiara City,” Mr Kotelawala said.
The Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Cai Weiming, in his remarks, congratulated the successful completion of the project and expressed appreciation to the workers and engineers from both China and Solomon Islands who worked on it.
“I’m sure this project will not only facilitate the travelers around the Ports area, but also improve the transportation capacity of the area,” Ambassador Cai said.
He said the completion of the project is another testament to the strength and depth of the Belt and Road Initiative Cooperation between China and Solomon Islands.
“Since we established diplomatic relations and signed the BRI cooperation five years ago, multiple infrastructure projects have been implemented. Chinese companies actively participated in the infrastructure construction in Solomon Islands under this cooperation.”
Ambassador Cai added that the next big project that China will be funding is the China-Aid-funded Auki Road Tar-Seal Project, which will start soon.
This, he said, will significantly enhance inner-provincial connectivity, facilitate safe and convenient travel, promote the flow of goods and services and drive development industries.
By AGNES MENANOPO
Solomon Star, Honiara
