‘Malaita projects and Manaoba airport issue and provincial airstrips highlighted’

 

THE country’s infrastructure development is still in need of more enhancements.

The Leader of the Official Opposition, Hon Jeremiah Manele made the statement on the floor of Parliament yesterday when contributing on the Sine Die motion moved by Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare.

Manele told Parliament when speaking on the 2017 budget that even so, he welcomes the continuous focus and priority given to economic infrastructure development.

“Indeed, we need more roads, more airstrips, and more wharves, better communication facilities, and a sustainable energy source to induce, sustain, and diversify economic development in our country, thus creating jobs and income for our people.

He then added that the government’s enthusiasm and interest in the national projects on Malaita seem to have subsided and diminished following the problems surrounding the authenticity of the Malaita think-tank report.

He strongly told Parliament that the government must not retreat from its commitments to the national projects on Malaita and other parts of the country for that matter.

The Opposition then strongly added that the Government should also to quickly sort out the issues surrounding the Manoaba airport on Malaita so that it becomes operational, serves the people and businesses there, and we begin to get some returns from this investment.

“I understand that the land issue is no longer an issue.

“So what is stopping the ministry of aviation to begin flights to Manoaba since a test flight was already conducted on 15th July 2016 and passed?

“Is it the audits of the funds expended on the airport project that is causing the delay or what is it?” Hon Manele said.

The Leader of the Official Opposition then acknowledged the support of the New Zealand government to work with the Solomon Islands government on the Bina habour project on Malaita, as well as, in upgrading a number of our existing provincial airstrips including Seghe, Taro, Fera, and Suavanao.

“Sir these are opportunities we must capitalise on and I trust that the government will work hard to fulfil its part or commitments towards these important projects.

“I understand from my good friend and the very dedicated minister of civil aviation and communications that work on a number of new airstrips, including Kaolo airstrip on Isabel, for which a survey was done a few years ago, could also start this year,” Manele added.

The Member of Parliament for Hograno/Kia/Havulei then told Parliament that the proposed Kaolo airstrip on San Jorge island will be one of the most strategic infrastructure investments for the country since its located right at the centre and vicinity of the nickel deposits on Isabel. I

It is also surrounded by potential agriculture, fisheries and tourism development opportunities including an existing locally owned home stay, which is only a 10 minutes’ walk from the proposed airstrip.

It is also right at the border of the Hograno/Kia/Havulei constituency and the Gao/Bugotu constituency, thus will serve the people of both constituencies.

He then added that there are no airstrips on the Northwest and Northeast side of the province.

“Sir, if these features of the location of Kaolo airstrip are not strategic enough, then what is strategic?

“Mr Speaker, sir, as I have said in the past, we need to ensure a fair distribution or allocation of the development budget to all our provinces.

“Let us not forget our middle sized and small provinces,” Hon Manele said.