Landowning tribes of the Bina Harbour water source in Malaita have been urged to take good care of the Bina Harbour Project equipment that have been installed within their communities.

A representative  owners, Frank Ba’egeni speaking during a recent water source meeting held at Busi’i Community, emphasized that the equipment installed under the project is very expensive and must be properly looked after.

“The water monitoring system is very costly, and everyone must show respect and take responsibility for it,” Ba’egeni said.

“It is for our own benefit, not something that belongs to someone else. We must understand that it is our property and take ownership of it.”

He urged landowners to change the mindset that government projects belong only to the government.

“Please don’t keep that mindset. These developments are here to improve our lives — they belong to us,” he added.

Supporting the message, Jack Gaobata, Principal Water Resources Officer from the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) in Honiara, also encouraged community cooperation to ensure the project runs smoothly.

“Everyone must work together to make sure the project operates without disturbance,” Gaobata said.

“The machines and monitoring equipment used are highly valuable, and it is important that they are protected.”

According to Gaobata, three water source sites have already been equipped with water monitoring systems: Fagwa Water Source, Kwaleunga Water Source, and another source near the Bina area.

The systems, installed in October 2025, will record water data over a 12-month period to test the strength and suitability of each source for the proposed Bina Cannery Project.

The monitoring phase is expected to continue until October 2026.

By Lesley Foinagwa

MASI Stringer