THE Niuleni and Funafou communities in the northern region of Malaita Province are the proud recipients of a $3-million sanitation project funding provided by the Republic of China Government through Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Prime Minister Sogavare on Monday handed over the cheque for the project money to the Chairman of the steering committee for the ‘Fakaloloma Sanitation Project’, Mr Toata Molea in the presence of his committee members.
The other committee members include Mr James Bouro as Vice Chairman, Mrs Margaret Inifiri as 1st Secretary, Mrs Maeva Pitanoe as 2nd Secretary, Mrs Rose Sulu as Treasurer, Mr David Maesua as Architect and Mr Bentley Collin who is the Democratic Coalition for Change Government Consultant on Home Affairs and Health.
The Fakaloloma Sanitation Project covers both Niuleni and Funafou.
Mr Sogavare said the Fakaloloma Sanitation Project is a pilot sanitation project funded by the Republic of China Government and its success will see the extension of the sanitation project to other islands in the Lau Lagoon and possibly to other lagoons in Malaita Province and the rest of the country.
“I know the money is given into good hands. I’m pleased to know that you have a steering committee in place which is made up of yourselves to guide the implementation of this important project. I’m also pleased that you have a technical adviser who will advise you on its technical aspects.
“The ROC ambassador would like to handover the sanitation facilities once they are completed and because this project is funded by Taiwanese taxpayers’ money, he would also like to see full accountability for it.
“If the Fakalomaloma project is successful and you fully account for the funding provided, the ROC Government will fund sanitation facilities for another two islands in the Lau Lagoon this year and if they are also successful, then the sanitation project will be extended to cover the entire Lau Lagoon and possibly to other lagoons in Malaita Province and the rest of the country.”
The Prime Minister said he saw the need for proper sanitation facilities in the Lau lagoon after attending the opening of a church building in Niuleni and advised them to put together a comprehensive project proposal and submit to the Republic of China Government through its embassy in Honiara for funding.
He encouraged the steering committee to bring the project to fruition so that other Solomon Islanders can also benefit from its extension to their localities.
In receiving the cheque, Mr Molea said the Fakaloloma Sanitation Project will be a model for upcoming sanitation projects and acknowledged that his committee is tasked with an enormous responsibility which is to ensure the success of this project and guarantee continued funding by ROC for other sanitation projects.
He assured that his committee will ensure the funding is used for its intended purpose.
“We have some of the most responsible people from these two respective communities in our committee which is responsible for the handling of the funding and we can assure you Prime Minister and the ROC Ambassador that we will fully account for the money.
“We all look forward for day when the Taiwanese Ambassador will come and officially handover the sanitation facilities when they are completed.”
