BY BEN BILUA
GIZO
Premier of Western Province, Billy Veo, has announced a series of infrastructure developments that his government plans to deliver with the support of donor partners and other stakeholders.
Speaking during the opening of the Western Provincial Assembly meeting, Veo outlined several key projects currently in progress or set to begin soon, including the Solid Waste Management Project for Noro and Munda, the Nusatupe Terminal, Gizo Road and Water Supply upgrades, the ongoing road improvement works at Noro, and the Seghe Terminal and Seghe Market projects.
He said the gazettal of the Local Planning Scheme for Noro and Munda has paved the way for the commencement of the Solid Waste Management Project, which will be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Veo added that the selection of firms or NGOs to pilot the project will take place next month.
He said two sites at Mile 3 in Gizo have also been identified for the establishment of a landfill site for Gizo which is also part of the project.
Veo said the Nusatupe Terminal project is progressing well, following an agreement reached with the Solomon Islands Airports Corporation Limited.
“To date, the Nusatupe subdivision plan has already been approved, and valuation has already been done on the site,” he said.
On road development, the Premier said the provincial government has partnered with CAUSE Project 2 to work on improving the Chinatown area in Gizo.
He said engineering firm Kramer has completed scoping and geotechnical assessments, with work expected to begin soon.
Veo said $1.5 million has been allocated for upgrading the road from Kona Shop to Tisi, as well as other feeder roads in Gizo.
“The Executive Government is not idle. We are working on progressing the urgent maintenance of Gizo roads,” he said.
Regarding Gizo’s water supply, Veo said Solomon Water has engaged consultancy firm SMEC to conduct seismic surveys across six potential sites.
He confirmed ongoing consultations with the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA), and the South Pacific Community (SPC) on the project’s implementation.
Overall, Veo said other ongoing projects, including the Noro Road upgrade, Seghe Terminal, and Seghe Market developments are progress well.
He said his executive government is committed to ensuring these infrastructure programs are delivered to improve services and livelihoods across the province.
Photo: Supplied
For feedback, contact:[email protected]
