THE Government and People of the Republic of China are active partners with the Government and People of Solomon Islands in the empowerment of Solomon Islands rural dwellers for active participation in economic development through their direct annual $80- million budgetary support for rural development.

Through Taiwan’s annual budgetary support people in the rural areas in many parts of the Solomon Islands are now able to own solar-power, low-cost houses and sanitation facilities.

Taiwan’s contribution to providing sanitation facilities was fully exemplified, yesterday, when the people of Funafou and Niuleni artificial islands in the Lau Lagoon in Malaita Province yesterday celebrated a milestone to rural community sanitation development as they marked the accomplishment and handing-over of a $3-million sanitation project funded by Taiwan.

The celebration held on Funafou Island was officiated by the Prime Minister, the Hon, Manasseh Sogavare, and the Taiwanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Victor Te-sun Yu.

The project called the Fakaloloma sanitation Project saw the creation of two blocks of modern sanitation facilities one for men and another for women on both island. Each of the blocks contained four flush toilets and two showers.

Speaking at the occasion, an elated Prime Minister said the story behind the sanitation project started in 2009 when he saw the need for proper sanitation facilities on the two islands at that time and encouraged the leaders of the two communities to draw up a sanitation project proposal for submission to the Republic of China Government for funding support.

Prime Minister Sogavare said 82 percent of Solomon Islanders still use primitive unhygienic sanitation methods whilst 35 percent of the country’s population does not have access to good running water.

He said the statistics indicate the Government has a formidable task at hand which requires the collective support of all Solomon Islanders to address.

The Prime Minister said the Government’s vision for Solomon Islanders to live in a safe and hygienic environment by having access to quality and sufficient quantity of water and proper sanitation   facilities   will   be   guided   by   the   National Development Strategy for 2016 to 2035 and of course the National Health Strategic Plan for 2016 to 2020 and the RWASH (Rural Water Supply and Sanitation) Strategic Plan 2015-2020.

The PM added that the Fakaloloma Sanitation Project is a pilot project for what could become a national sanitation project for people living on artificial islands throughout the country.

In his speech, yesterday, Ambassador Te-sun Yu thanked the people of Funafou and Niuleni for the ‘great’ welcome they had accorded him and the Prime Minister and their delegations on arrival.

The ambassador said proper sanitation was one of the most important factors of good health, adding good sanitation is not only about having access to proper sanitation facilities but also having good sanitation habits.

Ambassador Te-sun Yu also used the opportunity to acknowledge Solomon Islands 33 year-old friendship with Taiwan, saying this relationship was not just about political alliance but also about ‘trust and empathy’.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT