THE Guadalcanal Premier Willie Atu has commended the Australian Government for including Guadalcanal schools and communities in its Solomon Islands Security and Safety Light Project.
This project was announced by the Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy at an event at the Lungga Community High School on the eastern outskirts of Honiara on Thursday.
Premier Atu thanked Minister Conroy on behalf of the Guadalcanal Provincial Government and people for his announcement of the Solar Light Project.
Some solar lights have been installed in Lungga communities and schools and people have enjoyed the benefits of these lights.
“I’m happy that this project will also include Alligator Creek and other places in Honiara.
“Light is security and security is the responsibility of all of us. The sites for the project to be implemented need security,” the premier said.
Minister Conroy, in his announcement, said 290 new solar lights will be provided to communities in Solomon Islands.
These new lights are delivered by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and represent a commitment of SBD 6.3 million.
“Australia knows how important preserving the safety of local communities is. That’s why we’re proud to support important projects like this.
“Community by community, light by light, we are supporting the RSIPF in their important mission to keep Solomon Islanders safe,” Minister Conroy added.
This solar project will provide multiple benefits to communities, including improving community safety, especially for women and children, when walking after dark.
Other benefits include safer access to markets, churches, schools, and other essential community centers and enabling schools and communities to play outdoor football or host community events in the evening.
More than 50 percent of the lights have been installed to date. The remaining ones will be installed in coming weeks.
In addition to the 290 lights, 30 lights were previously installed in Gilbert Camp in East Honiara.
The lights provide light for women who market their products at night to earn money for their families.
Australia engaged the Island Enterprises, a Solomon Islands company, to assist with the light installation, contributing more jobs in the construction industry.
By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
