BY INDY MAEALASIA
SOLOMON Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) has made history yesterday with the commissioning of its Domestic Seaport Passenger Terminal.
The furnished state-of-the-art infrastructure, dubbed as the “South Pacific’s largest domestic passenger terminal”, is designed to enhance convenience and passenger comfort, particularly for inter-island travel.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eranda Kotelawala described the ‘Millennium terminal’ as a “significant achievement and a great milestone for Solomon Ports”
“… not only for the ports but also for the industry, for the people and the Solomon Islands as a whole,” he added.
Kotelawala further highlighted the terminal’s self-sustainability, noting that revenue generated from its commercial spaces would be reinvested into maintaining and upkeeping the terminal.
Fully funded by SIPA, the three-floor terminal, which cost just over SBD$100 million, features a range of amenities, including cafes, a ticketing office, passenger waiting areas, shops, paid toilet facilities, and others.
The CEO expressed his deep appreciation for the teamwork that turned the vision of this landmark project into reality.
He particularly acknowledged the contributions and dedication of the local contractors and SIPA staff during the nearly two years of construction.
In his keynote address, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele underscored that the terminal represents far more than just an infrastructure project but a symbol of “progress, a tangible manifestation of our collective ambition, and a milestone” that changes the way the country connects with the outside world
“This is a moment that every Solomon Islander should cherish, as it marks a significant step forward in our nation’s growth and development,” Manele noted.
Passengers traveling to their home Islands will now enjoy the comforts and some of the services provided
“…the building is fully functional but some of the services will start to move in because it’s Christmas so they will slowly move in-all of the shops and the cafes and everything…they can come in, rest, grab something and then it will continuously improve in the next couple of days and weeks,” Kotelawala told local media.
