URBAN growth has invaded Honiara city and there is a need for service enrichment and proper planning to satisfy people as well as development.

Honiara Urban Growth Report highlights that people especially youths desire important services which are lacking within Honiara city.

The report stated that Honiara has a large and growing youth population which is steadily increasing as youths are moving here from provinces, drawn by hopes of jobs, education and an urban lifestyle.

Research carried out to compile the report found that nearly all youths are unable to secure their aspirations when they moved to Honiara.

Lead Researcher Mr Joseph Foukona said discussions held with youths found that there are limited opportunities for youth in respect to the education programmes, skills training, work and mentoring initiatives.

He emphasises that there is a need to establish targeted initiatives for youth to realise their capabilities and their role to drive better development forward.

Mr Foukona adds that it is important for targeted initiatives to be well monitored and evaluated to help shape a better path for the future.

He continues to say that women living in settlement communities also face unique challenges in Honiara.

Foukona said security and how to sustain their families are some of the challenges women face on a daily basis.

He said consultations with women living in informal settlement shows that women needs more markets established within Honiara to provide an avenue for women to sell their foods and financially assist their families.

Foukona said most women who were questioned said that the central markets in unfit to accommodate women to secure stalls and ensure their safety while selling their products.

He said statistics show that more women support that markets generate huge incomes for both male and female vendors from Honiara and the provinces.

Mr Foukona explained that investment in urban markets can contribute very much in building stronger capacity for informal settlers to fully take part in the country’s economic development.

He further stated that other informal communities within Honiara city have been suffering from lack of proper water supply and also sanitation.

Mr Foukona said this issue has continued to pose a huge concern on people’s health.

In meantime he said urban service engagement is a very important drivers of development that would create job opportunities, better access to education, and access to health and justice.

He said money alone will not deal with incoming issue but change of action and attitude will set a better future for Honiara and other urban centres.