Australia to fund 40 community projects worth nearly $9m

BY Timothy Inifiri Jnr

THE Australian Government is delivering 40 new  projects to schools and communities within the country worth nearly $9 million (SBD).

In formalising the delivery of the projects, the  Australian High Commissioner HE Rod Hilton earlier (Friday 22 March) signed agreements to fund the 40 new community projects through the Solomon Islands – Australian Community Partnerships Grant Program.

The Solomon Islands – Australian Community Partnership is a small grant program designed to help improve the living standards of communities within the country, with last year alone saw Australia funding a total of 35 projects in the country.

Hilton in signing of the projects stated that this will be the biggest round in the history of the Australian High Commission who are funding nearly $9 million to fund the 40 projects  and he is so honoured in working closely with Solomon Islands.

“These type of project give  clear economic chances for rural communities in the Solomon Islands, whether it for short or long term, Australia is proud to support it”.

“Your projects are selected based on merit and because we are impressed based on the standard and allocations that you’ve handed in”, Hilton told the recipients.

The Australian High Commissioner also highlighted that they will also be sending a to conduct monitoring and evaluating visits to the projects.

Expressing his joy upon receiving the projects, Dr Clyde Puilingi a representive for the Buinitusu Community Hall Project in Marovo, thanked Australia for funding the projects which he expressed will surely touch the lives of many people in the rural areas.

“With this project, I am grateful to be a recipient and I believe all the other communities as well and I also think that this is a great achievement as well for both Australia and Solomon Islands”, Puilingi said.

Noel Hapi a recipient of the Japuana Youth Centre in Isabel expressed that the project will not only impact the youth but also the women and children in Lepi Village and the surrounding communities.

“This hall will be used as an information center which will help us in raising issues that are affecting our youths in Isabel as well as the children and women”, he said.

Hapi also mentioned that the youth center will also act as classroom for Early Childhood Education (ECE) in their area.

Australia is Solomon Islands’ largest development partner, supporting all areas of society and the economy – from health, justice, and education, to infrastructure, labour mobility, private sector growth and agriculture.

Meanwhile, the 40 projects are spread in eight provinces plus two in Honiara, with two in Renell Bellona, seven in Western province, 15 in Malaita, three in Choiseul, two in Temotu, three in Isabel, five in Guadalcanal, one in Central Province.