SolWater delivers 7 houses to landowners to pave way for new treatment plant

Solomon Water this morning delivered seven completed houses to landowners’ who have been relocated to give way for the construction of a new treatment plant which is expected to start in 2021.

Representatives of the government, premier of Guadalcanal province, landowners and Solomon Water were on site during the historic event at Kongulai.

Chairman of Solomon Water Carson Korowa commended the community for their partnership with the government state owned enterprise (SOE) for allowing the project to continue and now completed.

Seven families have been relocated to their new houses which is not far from where they lived.

Korowa said the completion of the houses does not mean that the landowners’ work is done but they need to continue working with them to protect the catchment area, look the pipes and the entire area.

He added the completion of the houses is just the beginning as more work would still to be done in the site.

The relocation will allow for Solomon Water to build a new treatment plant allowing water to flow into the supply system unabated even though there is heavy rain unlike now.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

Premier of Guadalcanal Province Francis Sade said he’s happy to witness the event especially seeing his people are partners in the development of the Kogulai water source.

He said often investments come in and people are put aside “but our people want to be partners.”

Sade said in such partnership – people are responsible and they will protect the resources, infrastructures because they feel that they are part of it.

“To me this is a very important partnership between Solomon Water and the people of Kongulai,” he said.

The premier said people have been sitting and complaining and it now time that “we need to look at way we do development.”

He said partnership is a best way forward.

Under Secretary of Ministry of Mines and Energy Daniel Rove said this is an important project as its completion would improve water supply to Honiara city.

 Solomon Water has also presented two gifts (chupus) to the two tribes in the Kongulai area. The chupus are to be shared amongst the big and small tribes of the area.

Kongulai is the key supplier of water to Honiara.

News@SBMOnline2020