Ministry of Infrastructure Development proposes revival of PWD
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) has proposed reviving the Provincial Public Works Department (PWD).
According to the Minister for MID, Manasseh Maelanga, this proposal is an integral part of the ministry’s ongoing initiatives to support infrastructure development in the country.
“I would like to take a moment to highlight our ongoing initiatives under the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.
“We will introduce the government policy to re-establish the PWD within MID, build capacity for the Provincial Public Works Department, and work on its rollout plans,” he said.
Maelanga also highlighted the national government’s commitment, through his ministry, to implementing a vehicle policy for the country.
“At the policy level, my ministry is finalizing the government vehicle policy. The policy aims to guide the government on how it procures, manages, and disposes of vehicles.
“I will take this policy to Cabinet soon,” he said.
Maelanga further emphasized that as a country, the Solomon Islands must rely on well-defined national strategies and programs that prioritize and implement critical infrastructure development.
He stated that at the core of this national framework are the National Development Strategy (NDS) and the National Transport Plan (NTP), both of which serve as roadmaps for sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
“The NDS outlines long-term goals to upgrade roads, bridges, ports, and public utilities, ensuring they align with our national development priorities.
“The NTP, on the other hand, provides a structured approach to transport infrastructure—emphasizing accessibility, safety, and efficiency to support social and economic progress.
“The National Transport Plan 2011–2030, approved in 2010, has guided transport development for over a decade.
“A three-year rolling plan was prepared alongside this, subject to revision every two years by MID to ensure that relevant projects were prioritized for implementation,” Maelanga said.
However, he noted that evolving challenges and new priorities have necessitated an urgent update.
“In response, we have introduced the Medium-Term Transport Action Plan (MTTAP)—a more dynamic and frequently updated framework that ensures infrastructure projects remain relevant, responsive, and properly funded.
“The MTTAP replaced the three-year rolling plan, which has now been extended to a five-year plan. In 2017, the NTP was revised as the NTP 2017–2036 and has since been updated accordingly.
“This year, we are expecting to review both the NTP and the MTTAP, and I urge all stakeholders to support this process. The review aims to bring necessary improvements to address challenges in the transport sector,” Maelanga said.
According to the minister, both the NTP and MTTAP are overseen by the National Transport Fund (NTF) Secretariat, which operates within the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID).
He emphasized that this secretariat reports to the NTF board and ensures alignment with national objectives.
Maelanga added that any updates to these plans are subject to Cabinet approval, reinforcing their national significance and accountability.
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