BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) will proceed with groundwork to construct a C-band weather radar station, a first for Solomon Islands.
According to a press statement from SIMS, SIMS and the Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands (CAASI) have signed a Land Use Agreement (LUA).
The agreement allows SIMS to construct the Weather Radar Project with supportive accessories at the CAASI compound at Henderson area.
SIMS is said to have received confirmation of its first Weather Radar instrument through the Pacific-lead Weather Ready Pacific (WRP) Program, which sits under the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
Henceforth, SIMS will now embark the construction a C-Band Weather Radar station in Honiara with funding and technical support under WRP.
This project is a long time coming, as SIMS finally receives the instrument after years of trying.
Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) said this cutting-edge radar will significantly enhance SIMS capacity in real-time weather monitoring, weather forecasting, early warnings for severe weather events, flooding early warnings, and the aviation weather services.
SIMS said the new instrument plays a critical role towards building climate resilience and disaster risk reduction in the Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific region.
It is understood that the radar is being supplied by Enterprise Electronics Corporation (EWR), a USA-based leader in radar technology, and procurement of the radar equipment and other accessories is underway, with shipment to Honiara expected by the end of 2025.
MECDM said site preparation and installation oversight will be undertaken by the New Zealand Meteorological Service with the support of SIMS, while SPREP will coordinate implementation with funding from WRP donors. Currently, key active donors of WRP include the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government and the UK Met Office.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Acting Director Dr Alick Haruhiru thanked the Director of CAASI for recognising the radar project and availing it’s land to install infrastructure that will benefit the aviation sector, national stakeholders, and the region as a whole through the services provided by SIMS.
Mr. Haruhiru said they will work closely with CAASI to implement the Weather Radar Project.
Supervising Permanent Secretary for MECDM, Deputy Secretary Technical (DST), Ms. Agnetha Vave-Karamui acknowledges the presence of former SIMS Director, Mr. David Hiriasia and former DST, Mr. Chanel Iroi, who under their leadership, have steered and contributed to ensuring that SIMS continues to pursue this project.
She commended CAASI, the Prime Minister’s Office and other government agencies, for continuously supporting SIMS to deliver efficient, accurate and quality services for people, communities and provinces.
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