BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
CHINA has donated 40 OBMs to Western Province as part of ongoing relationship between Western Province and Fujian Province.
First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Honiara handed over the OBMs to Premier of Western Province yesterday.
In his speech, Charlie Song said the OBMs cost around SBD720,000.00 as a gesture of friendship to Western Province.
He said China has already donated and will continue to support the recovery and rehabilitation efforts after cyclone Maila.
“This reflects the responsible attitude of the Chinese Government and its international humanitarian spirit and also a vital practice of building a community with a shared future for humanity as advocated by Chinese President Xi Jinping,” Song said.
Premier Billy Veo acknowledged the donation saying that Western Province is indeed honoured to receive the donation.
He said the donation marks another milestone in the relationship and cooperation between our province and the People’s Republic of China particularly through the sister-province relationship between Western Province and Fujian.
“I wish to express our sincere gratitude to the government of the People’s Republic of China, to the Excellency the Ambassador and the Chinese Embassy in Solomon Islands and especially to Fujian for this timely and meaningful support,” Veo said.
He said Western Province is geographically disperse across many islands and communities and that sea transport is not simply a convenience – it is essential.
“It connects our communities to schools, health services, government offices, markets, banking services and development opportunities,” Veo said.
He said the OBMs will greatly strengthen the province’s capacity to reach its people more effectively and improve service delivery throughout the province.
Veo said the OBMs will also support efforts in responding to urgent community needs, strengthening transport links and promoting economic activities across the islands.
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