A WORLD Bank mission is in Solomon Islands to support the implementation of the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP) and the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2) and explore additional financing opportunities for SIRAP2.
The World Bank team is reviewing the progress of ongoing works under SIRAP and SIRAP2; providing support on fiduciary, environmental, and social safeguards issues; discussing with the Government the list of activities to be included under the proposed additional financing; and visiting project sites.
From June 3 to 5, 2024, the mission visited Malaita and met with the Malaita Provincial Secretary in Auki, along with representatives from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) and the Project Support Team.
Meetings and site visits were conducted with contractors and the supervision consultant for the replacement of Bio1, Bio2, and Koa Bridges, as well as the routine maintenance and re-gravelling of 17 km of North Road and 21 km of East Road.
The team also held meetings with the Minister and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation, Frederick Kologheto and Alvin Danitofea, the Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands (CASI), Solomon Islands Airport Corporation Limited and Solomon Airlines.
A meeting was also held with the contractor and supervision consultant for the Honiara Airport runway resurfacing works.
The team also visited the site for Noro roads improvement works in Western Province, which commenced on April 30, 2024, meeting with the contractor and supervision consultant.
“The ongoing road and bridge investments have greatly contributed to the development of economic activities in Malaita,” Malaita Provincial Secretary Eric George Ongoa said.
Mr Ongoa thanked the national government and the World Bank for SIRAP investments in Malaita.
SIRAP2 is also constructing four new bridges in Malaita (Kolofe1, Kolofe2, Su’u Harbor, and Bira Bridges), providing upgrades to Honiara and Munda Airports and Santa Cruz (Lata) Airfield, investing in air navigation systems in Makira-Ulawa and Temotu Provinces, and supporting regional airport maintenance.
(SIRAP/SOLSTAR)
