BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
Premier of Western Province, Billy Veo, has unveiled three major infrastructure projects earmarked for implementation in 2026, reaffirming his government’s commitment to address long-standing development challenges across the province.
Speaking during the Western Day celebrations this week, Veo announced that the Gizo Water Project, Noro Road Project, and repairs to the Gizo Wharf are the priorities infrastructure development moving forward.
He said drilling for the Gizo Water Project is scheduled for next year at six newly identified sites located at Mile 2, 3 and 6.
Veo said his government is determined to resolve the chronic water shortage that has troubled Gizo residents for decades.
“I would like to register my government’s urgent need for Gizo Water to be prioritised. This is a priority policy as successive governments have come and gone but the issue of Gizo water remains.
“It is my government’s wish to have this long-overdue issue resolved once and for all,” he said.
Veo called on the National Government to intervene and provide the necessary support to ensure the province can finally deliver reliable water services to its rapidly growing population.
Turning to roads, he said the Gizo Road Network has deteriorated significantly and is now in dire need of major repairs.
Veo noted that the provincial government has been stretching its limited resources to keep the roads passable.
“While Noro Road is nearing completion, in Gizo our road situation is still in a derelict state. Regardless of national infrastructure being a non-devolved function, my government cannot just sit back and watch.
“We have allocated very minimal budget just for filling pot holes and other crude interventions just to make the roads at least usable and accessible,” Veo said.
He acknowledged reports that the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP) has taken up the Gizo Road upgrade and urged that the commitment be honoured.
Veo highlighted that improved roads are essential for developing West Gizo, where new township expansions and future developments are planned.
He also raised concerns about the worsening state of the Gizo Wharf, stressing that the facility requires urgent repair and maintenance.
“I see allocations for infrastructure for Western in the SIG development budget, but I fail to see any of the repairs and maintenance to roads, wharves and other important economic infrastructures,” Veo said.
He said the continuous neglect of critical infrastructure strengthens the province’s case for greater devolution of powers and a revised revenue-sharing scheme, which would enable provincial governments to adequately address service delivery gaps.
Veo said the Western Provincial Government will continue lobbying for stronger collaboration and support from the National Government to ensure the province’s pressing infrastructure needs are finally met.
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