The second section of East Road from Baratalo to Atori in Malaita Province is under emergency maintenance, thanks to the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT).

Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination and Member of Parliament for Fataleka, Rexon Annex Ramofafia confirmed this in Parliament on Monday.

The Member of Parliament for Fataleka said the other parts of the road had already been upgraded while another part of the east road isn’t maintained.

Mr Ramofafia thanked the government to allocate the other part of the deteriorating road under emergency maintenance.

He said the Member of Parliament for East Malaita, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure Development (MID), has come under heavy criticisms on social media and print media for the bad state of the road.

Solomon Star understand FT construction was given the contract to upgrade the deteriorating East Road.

Mr Ramofafia said upgrading and tar-sealing roads in Malaita are important.

He said there is ongoing road work now on North and South roads.

Construction on the east road, which started from Dala and now is moving to the east side.

The project is funded by the World Bank through the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP).

The upgrade work aims to address the deteriorating condition of the 21-kilometre road from Dala in West Kwara’ae to the east side of Malaita.

By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara