BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Only months remain before the completion of the first ever wharf for Kirakira – the provincial town of Makira Ulawa province.

This is the progress so far on this historic project, said Premier Stanley Siapu, even though it falls short of its initial schedule.

In a recent interview, he said there are lot of hindrances for the delay and major among them are weather and delay in mobilization of materials to the project site.

However, Siapu highlighted the smooth and progressive implementation of the project, noting its completion will be a boost to economic development in the province.

He also said the project will lay foundation for the cocoa processing plant project at Kirakira which is now halfway through implementation.

The premier noted that the project reached phase 1, which is the completion of the building to house the machineries for the factory.

He said his government is currently liaising with the national government through the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) and the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) on the second phase of the project.

Siapu further highlighted that the completion of Kirakira wharf shipping service to the province is an issue that continues to remain a challenge for the province.

Generally, he said the project will support infrastructure development, enhance logistic and boost the productive sector in the province.

This SBD $21.9 million project is funded by the Asia Development Bank (ADB) through the national government and implemented by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

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