Roads and Aviation Project Steering Committee Meet in Auki

The Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP) held its National Steering Committee (NSC) meeting on June 12, 2024, in Auki, Malaita Province. The meeting reviewed project progress and how the project would move to complete ongoing works across Solomon Islands.

The NSC comprises Permanent Secretaries from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Ministry of Communication and Aviation, Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID); Provincial Secretaries from Malaita, Temotu, and Western Provinces; the Director of Civil Engineering Department within MID, the Chief Operating Officer of the Solomon Islands Airport Corporation Limited; and the SIRAP secretariat office.

The NSC is designed to make strategic decisions and provide oversight of project implementation and the project support team. Additionally, the NSC advises the Solomon Islands Government and respective ministries on issues affecting project implementation and advise on how these can be addressed if necessary.

Upon arrival in Auki, the NSC members paid a courtesy call to the office of the Malaita Premier before proceeding with the quarterly meeting. Following the meeting, the NSC toured ongoing works in Malaita, including upgrades to three bridges (Bio1, Bio2 and Koa), and rehabilitation of the North and East Roads.

“The work SIRAP is delivering in Malaita, particularly the upgrading of selected roads and the construction of new bridges, significantly benefits the people of Malaita in their daily movements and economic activities,” said Provincial Secretary for Malaita Province, Eric George Ongoa.

In addition to SIRAP, the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2) is constructing new bridges (Kolofe1 and Kolofe2) on North Road in Malaita, upgrading roads in Noro, and providing enhancements to Honiara and Munda Airports, as well as Santa Cruz (Lata) Airfield. Additionally, investments are being made in air navigation systems in Makira-Ulawa and Temotu Provinces, along with support for regional airport maintenance.

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