Solomon Water is pleased to announce that its Auki Water Supply Upgrade project is now complete and was commissioned on Thursday 29 October 2020. The SBD 23 million project is part of Solomon Water’s major Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (UWSSSP) co-funded by the European Union, World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) but was undertaken by Solomon Water in advance of the UWSSSP approval and effectiveness and were funded retro-actively. This was because the existing infrastructure was in poor state and could not wait for the funding to become effective.
Solomon Water Board Chairman, Carson Korowa said “in keeping the Solomon Water mission to provide reliable and safe water supply, - this water project is a true reflection of Solomon Waters’ commitment to the good people of Auki and Malaita Province as a whole.
The UWSSSP aims to improve access to water supply and wastewater services in the urban and peri-urban areas of Honiara, Tulagi, Auki, and Noro in the Western Province and the Auki Water supply project is the first major project to be completed.
It is through funding that we can upgrade the facilities to meet the town’s future demand and ensure the reliability of the service and for which we extend our appreciation to the donors”.
Malaita Provincial Premier Daniel Suidani said his “…government appreciates the huge investment that Solomon Water is undertaking to upgrade the Auki Water Supply infrastructure and acknowledged the support of the financial donor's assistance from the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and European Union. This is very timely assistance to improve the water supply system in Auki.
Malaita provincial government is willing and ready to support Solomon Water in any of its strategic undertakings in the province”.
The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Dr. Chris Vehe said the milestone achieved for Auki Water Supply reveals the ongoing commitment of the national government to ensure our good people of Auki have access to good quality and sustainable water supply and appropriate wastewater system.
ADB Unit Head Solomon Islands Pacific Country Office, Elmar Elbling said “The Auki Water Supply Upgrade Project is part of a larger collaboration and financing agreement between
ADB and the government and the first project that was completed under the Solomon Islands Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Development Sector Project (UWSSSP).
Despite the uncertainties of COVID-19 and some related project delays, we are glad that the Auki Water Supply Upgrade Project has been completed and that Solomon Water was able to successfully overcome some of the pandemic-related constraints and restrictions by for example utilizing more locally available personnel.
Looking ahead, the implementation of the other planned subprojects is ongoing and we hope to see Kongulai Water treatment plant and Honiara Water Supply Reservoirs project being tendered for construction in November 2020, and that bidding for more provincial projects in Tulagi, Munda, Gizo and Noro will start first half of 2021.