THE people of Funafou and Niuleni artificial islands in the Lau Lagoon in Malaita Province yesterday celebrated a milestone to rural community sanitation development in Solomon Islands as they marked the accomplishment and handing-over of a $3-million sanitation project funded by the Republic of China (Taiwan).

The celebration held on Funafou Island, which is only a stone’s throw from Niuleni Island, was officiated by Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare and the Taiwanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Victor Te-sun Yu.

This project called the Fakaloloma sanitation Project saw the establishment of two blocks of modern sanitation facilities on each of the two islands-one for the men and another for the women. Each of the four blocks contained four flush toilets and two showers.

Speaking at the occasion, an elated Prime Minister Sogavare said the story behind the sanitation project started in 2009 when he and his wife Emmy, who hails from Funafou, attended the Simi Memorial Church dedication on Niuleni Island.

He said he saw the need for proper sanitation facilities on the two islands at that time and encouraged the leaders of these communities to draw up a sanitation project proposal for submission to the Republic of China Government for funding support.

The Prime Minister said seven years on, the people of Funafou and Niuleni have all the reason to celebrate their contributions towards the accomplishment of the Fakaloloma Sanitation Project.

He said sanitation is a major challenge in Solomon Islands due to the lack of awareness of its importance.

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

He said these 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 RWASH (Rural Water Supply and Sanitation) Strategic Plan 2015-2020.

He said Fakaloloma Sanitation Project could be described as ‘a drop in the ocean’ in light of the formidable task of addressing the issue of proper sanitation for the 82 percent of the national population still without access to proper sanitation facilities but is a step in the right direction towards fulfilling this vision.

The Prime Minister said 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.

He said the Government is awaiting the production of a full report on the Fakaloloma Sanitation Project by its steering committee and other considerations so that Cabinet will decide on the extension to rest of the Lau Lagoon and other parts of the country.

Prime Minister Sogavare thanked Solomon Islands development partners for their continuous support towards sanitation programmes in the country and made special acknowledgement to the Government and People of the Republic of China for funding the Fakaloloma Sanitation Project.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government and People of the Republic of China for this wonderful gift.

“Taiwan is so special to us. The Government and People of Solomon Islands have a very special relationship with the Government and People of Taiwan. It’s a relationship that goes beyond the boundary of mere diplomacy to one of understanding the true needs of the people of Solomon Islands.”

The Prime Minister also lauded the Government and People of the Republic of China as 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 this annual budgetary support by the Republic of China, Our people in the rural areas in many parts of the country are now able to own solar-power low-cost houses and sanitation facilities and play active part in rural-based economic development.

“This change in emphasis of our National Development Strategy to rural areas is in line with the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Taiwan is an active partner in this strategy.

“The Fakaloloma Sanitation Project is one amongst many projects that the Government and People of the Republic of China have funded under our rural-focused development strategy to improve the living standards of our people and especially those on these two islands.”

The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to acknowledge the traditional landowning groups for allowing the project to go ahead till completion despite some misunderstandings they had about the project.

On that note he credited the success of the project to strong community leadership, the traditional dispute resolution system and the competence of the project steering team in handling the matter.

“The amicable sorting out of the misunderstandings is a proof of the vibrancy and the effectiveness of our community leadership, traditional dispute settlement processes as well as the competence of the project team.”

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

“It’s such a great pleasure to see to be here to celebrate the completion of this sanitation project. I never expected to receive the kind of welcome you have accorded us. The boat rides, the dancers, colour decorations and the beautiful singing are so heart-warming and overwhelming.

“Thank you so much. I will never forget this experience and much more I am pleased to see the wonderful result of the work undertaken under this project.”

The ambassador said proper sanitation is one of the most important factors of good health.

However, he said good sanitation is not only about having access to proper sanitation facilities but also having good sanitation habits and on this note encouraged the Funafou and Niuleni community to cherish the new sanitation facilities by taking ownership of them and putting them into proper use.

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

He said Solomon Islands has given a lot of support for Taiwan by advocating for its recognition by the international community and this is highly appreciate by the Government and People of Taiwan.

The ambassador said Taiwan continues to reciprocate Solomon Islands staunch support for international recognition with annual budgetary support and other ‘extra activities’ such as providing support for agriculture development and the medical and health sector.

“We also engage in a lot of extra activities such as agriculture development support. We have the Taiwan Technical Mission in Honiara and they have set up a branch near Auki to share the knowledge, the managerial know-how about farming to help the local people to improve the quality and quantity of their produce.

“We have also done a lot in supporting the medical and health sector. We have provided a lot of medical support and also a lot of training for Solomon Islands medical personnel.”

The Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife Emmy, Minister for Culture and Tourism, Hon Bartholomew Parapolo, the Ministry of Health and Medical Service’s Undersecretary for Health Care, Dr Gregory Jilini and National Consultant for Home Affairs and Health and Medical Services in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr Colin Bently. Member of Parliament for Baegu/Asifola and Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Hon David Tome was also present at the event.