Tina Hydro & Bina Harbour projects operational by 2023

The Tina Hydro project in Central Guadalcanal is expected to become operational by 2023 as construction work on the project set to launch today.

Governor General H.E Sir David Vunagi revealed in Parliament, Monday 16 March.

He said the Tina Hydro Project has been steadily progressing with the financial closure Agreement signed late last year.

“This project will lower the electricity tariff and the cost of doing business in Honiara, not to mention the cost of living. It is expected that affordable energy will have positive spin offs in our economy,” he added.

On the Bina Harbour Project, Sir Vunagi said the project has progressed significantly with the successful conduct of a land arrangement toward a final stage of titling.

He said the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) as the lead Ministry in this project has achieved other significant progress, including the successful identification of the preferred water source, identified landowners for harbour access, conducted a financing options study and identification of a preferred space for a fully-fledged project office funded by the New Zealand government.

He added that there are also ongoing consultations between the International Finance Corporation (a World Bank group), Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) as the lead implementer, Malaita Provincial Government as the host, representatives of landowning groups as the resource owners, donor partners and Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, on the best implementation pathway moving forward.

“Overall, Bina Harbour Project is progressing well on all fronts and in line for all infrastructures to be completed and the proposed tuna factory to be operational by 2023.

“The Government has committed budgetary support in its 2020 Development Budget support towards advancing the Bina Harbour Project,” he stated.

With regards to the Coral Sea Submarine Cable System, he said the cable system is now operational since the 1st of February this year.

He said the Government is committed to ensure our people enjoy reliable and high speed internet at a reduced cost.