Trees chopped to give way for road expansion in west Honiara

Tree cutters say they are merely cutting down the trees to give way for the new road development in west Honiara.

The fast chopping of some of Honiara’s remaining trees between the Chinese Embassy and St John School has raised eyebrows and concerns in the social media.

Many have accused those in authority for allowing the chopping down of some of Honiara’s remaining trees making the side of town look very bare.

This afternoon SBMOnline sought answers from the choppers at Rove just close to St John School.

Their spokesperson said they merely followed instruction to cut-down the trees to give way for the road development.

“We were given instruction by those who will build the road to cut-down the trees,” he said.

He said all the trees in the red zone will be removed.

 The road zone is the area between the road and a red painted mark at the outer part of the road which will be cleared to give way to the road development.

“Even the HCC cam and asked but when we showed them the mark—they got away and allowed us to our work,” he said.

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation or CCECC has won the right to work on the road. It includes the improving and extending of the existing 4-lane road, from the central market through to White River (approximately 5 km), as well as the 2-lane road from the Airport to Mberande (approximately 30 km).

The current clearance is the beginning of the road works.

The tree cutters said more trees will be chopped in the city if they stand in the way of the new road project.

News@SBMOnline203