Legacy House handover expected in mid-October or November this year PM informs Parliament
BY NED GAGAHE
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has notified Parliament that the million-dollar Legacy House is set to be handed over around mid-October or November 2024.
National Hosting Authority (NHA) acquired the property in Ranadi, East Honiara, last year owned by Chengs Hardware and Construction Limited, for the sum of $34 million.
Prime Minister Manele addressed questions yesterday in Parliament from Leader of the Opposition Matthew Wale regarding the legacy house’s status and its readiness for transfer to the national federations.
The Prime Minister said the NHA is awaiting completion of renovations and refurbishment of the property which is expected to complete next month.
He told Parliament that the building is large, has two floors and about 50 rooms all together plus meeting rooms, ablutions and showers.
Manele said each room has individual air-conditioning units and renovation of the top floor has been completed.
“NHA is about to complete the renovations and refurbishment of the sports legacy house which have been procured through the general support from the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“New air-conditioning units have been installed. Fire safety requirements including two fire escape units at each end of the building. These are being put in place. The NHA has decided to installed hybrid solar air-conditioning units on the ground, the cost of these units is almost the same as the normal units but can save in terms of bills, these units are run on solar power during the day and automatically switched to normal power during nights or during the day when there is inadequate sunlight.
“We expect the installation of the solar units plus the final touch up renovation for the ground floor to be completed with the next month. The NHA anticipates the handing over of the sports legacy house within the next two months.
In response to the question about whether any national federations have moved into the legacy house and the reasons for any delays, Prime Minister Manele confirmed that no federations have relocated to the house as of now.
“Sir, until the renovations and refurbishment of this sports legacy house is completed and handed over individual sports federations cannot move in to the legacy house. So, they have to wait until the renovations and refurbishment is done as well as the handover is done.
“With regards to who the sports legacy house will be handed over to, it will be handed over by the NHA to the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI). As agreed between the President of the Pacific Games Council and the former Prime Minister and former minister for the 23 Pacific Games in 2023 and reaffirmed by the NHA Board meeting in December 2023.
“This decision is also in keeping with section 35 (1) of the Pacific Games Act 2023 on the disposal of non-financial assets as follows; 1) As soon as practical after the games have been completed or cancelled the authority must distribute its non-financial assets between Olympic Committee or the National Sports Council.” Manele said.
The Prime Minister said the vast majority of all PG23 assets have been or are being transferred by the NHA to the National Sports Council.
He said the Sports Legacy House is the single asset that the NHA is transferring to the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands.
“Sir since independence majority of our sports federations did not have their own building and office space. As a result of NHA commitment to the long-term legacy of sports development in our country.” PM Manele said.
He said NOCSI, NHA and NSC will meet to determine the date for handover. He said that handover is expected to be done in mid-October 2024 or November 2024.
