PM CONFIDENT IN DELIVERING A SUCCESSFUL PACIFIC GAMES

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is confident that Solomon Islands will deliver a successful 2023 Pacific Games in November this year.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday (Wed 19 April), Sogavare confidently assured the nation and the region that Solomon Islands is ready and will witness 24 national teams from the region march into the national stadium under their respective national flags.

“In exactly 7 months from today, on 19 November 2023, we will participate in the opening ceremony of the 17^th Pacific Games in our brand new 10,000-seat national stadium,” he said in response the Speech from the Throne on Monday by the Governor General.

The Games is expected to transform Honiara city with the completion of infrastructures including roads and games facilities around October this year.

“These infrastructures represent an investment in our young people. A legacy for our future generations,” Sogavare said.

The population of Honiara will increase substantially during the games. Up to 5,000 athletes and officials from twenty three countries will grace our shores to compete. A further 5,000 people comprising supporters, visitors, and tourists will also be visiting the country during the games time.

In addition, thousands of people will travel from the provinces to Honiara to be part of the 2023 Pacific games from 19 November to 2 December this year.

The expected completion of major infrastructures as outlined by the Prime Minister are that all Games Venues and Facilities will be completed and handed over to the National Hosting Authority by August while all Games villages for accommodation of athletes and officials will be handed over by October 2023.

In addition, the Games Organizing Committee will have all the processes to deliver and manage the games in place before the games commence.

Sogavare also announced that the road from the international airport to the SINU Kukum Campus will be completed by September while work on Feeder roads in Honiara will start around May or June this year pending the Ministry of Finance to complete compliance checks on Tender Submissions.

ENDS///