National Transport Core Initiative remains stagnant
PRIME Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has expressed disappointment that the much talked about National Transport Core Initiative (NTCI) signed in 2019 has failed to make any progress three years on.
The National Transport Core Initiative is worth US$855m (SBD6.5b) and is expected to create more than 2700 jobs.
The project should see the construction of roads and bridges, port infrastructure and the purchase of associated vessels for the main provinces like Guadalcanal, Malaita, Western Province.
However, speaking in Parliament on Monday last week to wind up the Sine Die Motion for the 5th Meeting of the current Parliament, Prime Minister Sogavare said since the concept was signed three years ago, no progress was made.
And he expressed disappointment on the floor of parliament.
“I’m really disappointed because there has not been much development on that initiative since that time.
“I don’t know for what reasons, but it’s a good project to connect the 37 constituencies, targeting Guadalcanal, Malaita, Western Province and other islands along the way like Isabel.
“So, this is where it is tacked. And I’m sad to inform the parliament about this,” he said.
Prime Minister Sogavare said at the signing of the NTCI that investments in infrastructure sector would generate multiplier effects to other sectors and the economy.
He said infrastructure links people to markets and services, supports and stimulates economic activities in rural areas and brings about improvements in the livelihoods of people.
During his 2019 Independence Anniversary address, he called for innovative approaches to infrastructure planning and development that not only address social and economic constraints but one that demonstrates inclusivity and a whole of country focus.
Prime Minister Sogavare updated parliament on Monday that the concept study desktop analysis of the National Transport Core Initiative was undertaken.
“The concept study assessed the technical, economic, environmental and social viability of the National Transport Core Initiative,” he said.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the key findings were:
- First, the overall National Transport Core Initiative will generate significant benefits and to deliver it, the costs would be substantial. The overall capital investment of the configuration is estimated at US$855m, with 85 percent of the total costs being for roads and bridges, while 6 percent relates to port infrastructure and 9 percent associated with the vessels;
- Second, the domestic shipping environment in Solomon Islands is sub-optimal and unsafe, and as such, the National Transport Core Initiative objectives of consolidating inter-island transport would improve this situation;
- Third, there is potential for private sector participation, in the ownership, construction, operation and maintenance for both port infrastructure and vessels. The vessels servicing the sea bridges could be delivered via a public-private partnership;
- Fourth, National Transport Core Initiatives benefits were derived from vessel operating cost reductions, travel time savings, reduced damage and loss of freight, generated traffic, travel safety benefits, health benefits and associated lowered mortality rates;
- Fifth, the overall program will generate significant benefits to the populations of Malaita, Guadalcanal and New Georgia through the provision of upgraded roads and sea bridges. It will lower both import and export costs for agriculture producers and consumers within the islands;
- Sixth, the economic impact assessment found that the introduction of the National Transport Core Initiative could lead to an increased in agricultural production and reductions in the loss or damage of cargo. These impacts could translate to an increase in the value of production across the three target provinces estimated at $6.4million per year or equivalent to 2747 rural jobs;
- Seventh, the reductions in the vessel and overland transportation costs could have a flow through impact on the costs of goods for purchase, assuming that all cost savings are passed through the market to the end customer. These savings would be significant in Malaita and Western provinces, estimated at about 99 percent and 86 percent of income respectively.
- Eight, the NTCI will contribute to reductions in both cost and time, and therefore has the potential to reduce some of the barriers to accessing social services such as health and education.
Prime Minister Sogavare said the next step is to do a study, which would cover the following;
- hinterland assessment and traffic surveys, virtual sea-bridge ownership and operating entity;
- field engineering investigations and validation of desktop engineering designs;
- field consultations with selected communities;
- revalidation of economic assessment; and
- update of the National Transport Core Initiative concept.
The Prime Minister also highlighted that the Solomon Islands Government and the Australian Government also signed a Subsidiary Agreement worth $AUD250 million for 10 years under the broader Solomon Islands Infrastructure Programme.
He said two components of the National Transport Core Initiative have been taken up as part of the start-up work-plan under this agreement.
“These are the technical preparatory work on the Bina Harbour Project and the planned Noro Port redevelopment project that would potentially leverage additional financing from the Australian Infrastructure Investment Financing Facility (AIFFP),” he said.
Prime Minister Sogavare said the Solomon Islands Infrastructure Programme’s initial start-up work-plan will include activities aimed at strengthening infrastructure policy, planning and management and infrastructure financing and delivery.
“Key infrastructure policy work will include support for the finalisation of the Solomon Islands Infrastructure Management Bill and Building Codes,” he said.
The Prime Minister said work is also underway to establish a National Infrastructure Development Authority.
“Initial baseline gathering work for the infrastructure sector will lead to a repository of infrastructure information, material and knowledge for Solomon Islands,” he told Parliament.
Parliament concluded its fifth meeting for this year on Monday last week.
By MOFFAT MAMU
