By EDDIE OSIFELO
MINISTRY of Infrastructure Development (MID) is discussing with the compliance team in the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to upgrade the deteriorating feeder roads in Honiara.
Director of Civil Engineering in MID, Mike Qaqara confirmed this when asked by Member of Parliament for Central Honiara, Alfred Efona, during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on 30th November 2022.
PAC led by Chairman, Douglas Ete, was enquiring into the 2023 Appropriation Bill 2022 budget.
Qaqara said most contracts under National Transport Fund have come to an end.
“We ask for money to continue with maintenance on feeder roads and main highway,” he said.
Furthermore, Qaqara said with other feeder roads, they take them under Land Maritime Component Project.
He said the maintenance component, hopefully should start early next year.
He said the project will be mobilised next year.
Moreover, on East Malaita roads, which is also deteriorating, Qaqara said the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP) is currently on the ground.
Apart from that, Qaqara said with the road from Gwounoru’u to Fosim market, it is already tendered and contract is about to be signed.
He said it is still on evaluation stage.
“Hopefully, there will be no objection on evaluation from World Bank, then award should be done,” he added.
