BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Development in Malaita province is intensifying as the country’s partners compete to contribute.
Major players like the USA, Australia, Japan, PRC, World Bank, and New Zealand are already supporting various projects in the province.
The US-funded SCALE program is active, Japan will start upgrading Kilu’ufi hospital early next year, and Australia and New Zealand, along with other donors, are backing the Bina Harbour project.
In connection with Bina Harbour, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was recently signed by the Malaita provincial government and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to build an office for the project in Auki.
Australia will also fund the Malu’u market project, while the World Bank and other donors through SIG support the SIRAP infrastructure projects in Malaita.
Additionally, PRC will fund the Auki tar-seal road network.
Another new project is the Auki-Bina tar-seal project, also funded by Australia, aimed at complementing the Bina Harbour project.
Premier Elijah Asilaua announced that his government is working with Australia on this project, which will stretch from Auki to Bina in West Kwaio, along the south road.
Details of the project will be revealed soon, with the MOU set to be signed on August 15, during Malaita’s 2nd Appointed Day, allowing Malaitans to witness this milestone.
The Malaita provincial government will also sign MOUs with other donors on this occasion.
Premier Asilaua expressed gratitude for these development projects and affirmed that his government will work closely with all partners to see them realized.
He emphasized the country’s foreign policy of “friends to all, enemy to none” and called on resource owners to collaborate with the Malaita Provincial Government (MPG) and development partners.
