REPUBLIC of China (ROC) Taiwan on Tuesday officially handed over 10,000 units of solar lamps to the Solomon Islands government through the Ministry of Rural Development.
The SBD $ 2.23million solar lamp project originated from ‘One students One solar’ lamp program.
The handing over of the solar lamp was witness by the Minister for rural development Freda Tuki Soriacomua.
This program was initiated by ROC Taiwan president H.E Ma Ying-jeou when he visited the country back in 2010 purposely to help Solomon Islands students’ access solar lighting system to afford better learning in schools.
ROC (Taiwanese) Ambassador H.E Victor Te-Sun Yu said Solomon Islands is abundant with enough sunlight, therefore it has great potential to develop the clean solar energy.
Mr Te-Sun Yu said majority of Solomon Islanders living in the rural areas needs solar light at night time.
“While it is suitable for students, these single lamps are very helpful for households as well.”
He said although the provision of solar lamps does not solve the problem of Solomon Islands’ lack of widespread electrification, it does address the drastic need of students to do their studies in the evening or during night times.
“With this it is vital to human development of Solomon Islands; and will ultimately contribute to the national development the Democratic Coalition for Changes government is determined achieve.
Freda AB tuki Soriacomua expressed appreciation and gratitude to the Government of Taiwan for the continuous goodwill support.
Mrs Soracomua said solar lamps are very important in the rural communities because it can substitute the cost of using kerosene lamps.
She said her ministry will distribute the solar lamps to the 50 constituency starting today.
