BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) has secured grants from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the design phase of two major road infrastructure projects in Honiara and Guadalcanal Province.
The grants are part of the Project Readiness Financing programme, and will be used to review the design of the White River to Lambi Road, as well as to design an alternative feeder road using the existing road network from Lunga to White River.
Deputy Secretary Technical of MID, Mike Qaqara made this announcement during a press conference on Tuesday. He confirmed that work on the first grant is already underway.
He said of the two secured two grants from ADB under the Project Readiness Financing programme, the first grant focuses on reviewing the design work previously done by another consultant for the White River to Lambi Road project.
Once the design review is complete, the ministry will move forward with procuring contractors to implement the infrastructure work.
The second grant, which became effective on February 4, will fund the recruitment of a design consultant for an alternative feeder road in Honiara. This new road will utilize the existing road network to connect Lunga to White River.
Qaqara emphasised that the goal of the project is to alleviate congestion in Honiara by providing an alternative route.
Once a consultant is secured, work on the design will begin. The ministry aims to complete the necessary designs by 2028, with hopes to begin implementation shortly thereafter.
Minister for Infrastructure Development, Ricky Fuo’o also confirmed the receipt of the grants and expressed his support for the two projects.
He added that once the design work is completed, the ministry will seek additional funding for the construction phase of these crucial road initiatives.
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