Wednesday 6 December 2006
Joint release with Asian Development Bank and New Zealand’s International Aid & Development Agency.
The Solomon Islands Minister for Infrastructure and Development today compared the reconstruction of the Tanavasa Bridge on the outskirts of Honiara as a symbol of the ‘rebuilding of the nation’ following the tension.
The Hon Stanley Sofu cut a ribbon and officially opened the new bridge on the outskirts of Honiara saying that transport was the life-blood of every nation.
“A fully functioning road and bridge network plays a vital part in the daily economic and social activities of any country”, he said.
The Tanavasa Bridge was damaged at the height of the tension which resulted in the suffering of many people. The reconstruction of the bridge is part of the Post Conflict Emergency Rehabilitation Project which is co-funded by the Asian Development Bank which provided a US$10 million loan, and New Zealand’s Agency for International Development (NZAID) and RAMSI who provided additional funding.
David Sali, a representative from the Tanavasa community, said that he was proud to be the witness a new era after a period of “ups and downs” during the tension.
“While the aim of this project has been to rebuild infrastructure, another outcome has been peace and interaction between local communities and also with the workers during the bridge reconstruction”, he said.
The New Zealand High Commissioner, Deborah Panckhurst, said the day was an important one in the life of Solomon Islands and its people. “The reopening of the Tanavasa Bridge reconnects the people of East and West Guadalcanal”, the High Commissioner said. She also highlighted the need for continued peace and security as the foundation for development.
“The Tanavasa Bridge provides a lifeline for those in villages such as Visale, Tambea and Lambi by improving their access to Honiara, its markets, schools and clinics. Combined with planned improvements to the western Guadalcanal road, it will make a real difference to the quality of life for hundreds, even thousands of people”, Ms. Panckhurst said.
Asian Development Bank Transport Specialist, Robert Guild, spoke personally of his connection to the people of the Kakabona community from living there 19 years ago as a volunteer.
“It is a great pleasure to be here in the company of so many of my wantoks, and witness such an important event in the recovery of your community”, he said.
“The Post Conflict Emergency Rehabilitation Project is working to make better connections a reality for many areas in Guadalcanal and Malaita. Next year Asian Development Bank along with NZAID and RAMSI will support the Solomon Islands Government in beginning work on a new Solomon Islands Road Improvement Project that will extend these gains to many more areas around the country”, Mr Guild said.
The Minister said his government was committed to further improving the quality of the transport infrastructure of the Solomon Islands, especially in the rural areas, with the recently adopted National Transport Plan.
RAMSI Deputy Program Director, Greg Ellis, congratulated the Minister and his staff at the Ministry for all their hard work and the completion of the National Transport Plan.
“This plan is vital for the challenging task ahead - to rehabilitate key land, air and sea infrastructure in Solomon Islands. It sets priorities and provides a clear framework to direct government on what assets need fixing and when.
“The plan is also important for highlighting areas for partnerships between government and donors – identifying where assistance may be required to rehabilitate and maintain key infrastructure”, he said.
Mr Ellis said RAMSI was also pleased to be working in close partnership with the government and the other organisations represented to also strengthen the government’s ability to manage and maintain infrastructure.
“Well built and well maintained infrastructure needs strong institutions to manage the process. We are working hard with the government to strengthen the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development and improve its ability to undertake this role: to contract works, manage assets, undertake maintenance and plan ahead to ensure that well maintained infrastructure is always available for people to use.
The Minister thanked the donors for their continued partnership with the government and also acknowledged the hard work of the contractor, Kitano-WKK Joint Venture Company of Japan, and also the works supervisors from Roughton International in realising the bridge.
“I also wish to thank the landowners and community leaders in the area of the Tanavasa Bridge for their cooperation and support during the reconstruction works. Without this support, this bridge would still be destroyed and we would have nothing today”, he said.
The official opening was completed by Father Norman Arkwright who blessed the Tanavasa Bridge, ahead of the first official crossing of the bridge which connects East and West Guadalcanal.