BY JUNELYN KELLY
VATUD constituency under the leadership of its Member of Parliament, Fred Tuki Soriocomua has received an upgrade in its emergency response and marine transportation capabilities.
This comes with the constituency having received nine outboard motor (OBM) engines.
The Ministry of Rural Development in a press statement this week said the initiative was funded by the government through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) with a total cost of SBD $ 221, 245 CDF budget allocation.
The project includes:
- 1x 75 engine for Tikopia Islands, specially designated for emergency medical transport and other urgent runs between Lata and Tikopia.
- 4 x 40 HP engine allocated to the communities of Vanikoro and Utupua Islands
- 4 x15 engine to support small fishing projects in Vanikoro and Utupua.
Mrs Soriocomua officially received the OBMs from the supplier, Y Sato Marine on behalf of the beneficiary communities on 18 February 2026.
The statement said this vital equipment is expected to provide substantial benefits, improving safety and accessibility for residents in these island communities, a significant step towards improving livelihoods and essential services in remote island communities has been announced as outboard motors OBM are now ready for shipment.
Mrs Soriocomua extended gratitude to the Solomon Islands Government for its unwavering commitment to the CDF program saying that the support has been helpful in the winning of the OBM engines and has supported several development initiatives that aim to enhance community well-being nationwide.
“These OBMs will be distributed to the remote islands communities in our constituency to serve our people and community, providing timely referrals to Lata in health emergencies, supporting fisheries for those involved in small fishing projects, and enhancing transportation service among our islands communities”, Mrs Soriocomua.
The VATUD constituency office has successfully distributed the project, funded by the Solomon Islands Government’s CDF constituency development fund allocation from the latter part of the 2025 financial year.
Meanwhile in spite of early delays in organising the delivery of project goods, the constituency office remained committed in the processes and procedures which were exactly followed.
This dedication at last led to the successful delivery of vital service to the communities within VATUD constituency.
This initiative underscores the ongoing efforts and unwavering commitment of VATUD constituency office, under the leadership of MP Soriocomua to enhance rural livelihoods, the project aligns directly with the constituency’s broader development plan.
“This constituency comprises of five main islands, Vanikoro, Anuta, Tikopia, Utupua, and Duff (VATUD), in order to connect themselves, they rely on boats and ship, sea challenges and most urgent needs”, Mrs Soriocomua said.
She assured her constituency that all projects fund under the CDF and the Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP) by the people’s Republic of China, will be delivered to the constituency very soon.
“Once our ship MV VATUD is ready we will ship all the 2025 CDF project to the constituency for distribution to our communities”, she said.
Constituency Development Officer, Justin Tanema shared an appreciation to the government through the Ministry of Rural Development for its ongoing support to the constituency, he also acknowledges Mrs Soriocomua for her leadership and steadfast support to the constituency office and development initiatives over the past years.
He said the Temotu VATUD Constituency office will continue to work with MRD to implement government policies relating to rural development.
The CDF is a national program of the Solomon Islands Government which is administered by Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) and implemented across the 50 constituencies to improve the social and economic livelihoods in the Solomon Islanders.
“To empower all Solomon Islanders for self-sufficiency improved livelihoods and sustainable development,” Mr. Tanema said.
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