GRANTS AND LOANS FRM ADB

$230m loan and $74m grant for Solomon Islands water and sanitation project

Quoting the Island Sun newspaper – 1 October 2019

“The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD$28 million (SBD230 million) loan and a USD$9 million (SBD74 million) grant for the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project, which will provide better access to safe water and improve sanitation in urban areas of Solomon Islands.

“The project will adopt a sector approach for developing sustainable, inclusive, and climate resilient water supply and improved sanitation in the greater Honiara area and five other towns, namely Auki, Gizo, Noro, Munda, and Tulagi.

 “Following the government’s Water and Sanitation Sector Plan, the project will increase people’s access to piped water supply and sanitation services, especially among poor households; reduce reliance on well water and rainwater harvest; and ensure more efficient water usage.

“Apart from ADB, the European Union (EU) with a USD$20.35 million grant, the World Bank with a USD$15 million loan, the Government of Solomon Islands with USD$11.47 million, and the Solomon Water with USD$9 million will contribute financing to the USD$92.82 million project, which will enhance hygiene awareness, promote water conservation, and improve fecal sludge management in the country’s urban areas.

“The project and ADB’s engagement in the water and sanitation sector brings extensive Pacific experience in water and sanitation infrastructure investment and provides best practices for water utility institutional strengthening,” said ADB Principal Urban Development Specialist for the Pacific Mr Stephen Blaik.

“The project will also help the government and Solomon Water address project environmental and social safeguard issues.”

“The Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation for the Pacific, Mr Christoph Wagner said, "The EU is committed to increase its effort to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, while making cities inclusive, resilient and sustainable.

“This multi-stakeholder project aligns the support of the EU to the priorities of Solomon Islands and reinforces the coordination with other development partners to support the country in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”

“Guido Rurangwa, World Bank Country Representative for Solomon Islands and Vanuatu said, “Quality water and sanitation are vital to the health of Solomon Islanders, yet at present only 55 percent of urban households in Solomon Islands have access to piped water supply services and 76 percent to basic sanitation.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Asian Development Bank and the European Union to address this urgent need.”

“Solomon Water Chairman, Mr Carson Korowa said, “We are immensely grateful to ADB for the confidence they have in the Board and Management of Solomon Water to extend the financial assistance.

“The generous assistance will help Solomon Water to accomplish its goal of providing clean, reliable and affordable piped water to the people of Solomon Islands- not only in Honiara but in the Provinces as well.”

“ADB’s USD$28 million concessional loan will be sourced from ADB’s ordinary capital resources. The USD$9 million grant will be provided from ADB’s Special Funds resources.

“ADB will also administer the USD$20.35 million EU grant.

“The Ministry of Finance and Treasury will be the executing agency and Solomon Water will be the implementing agency for the project.

“ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.

“In 2018, it made commitments of new loans and grants amounting to USD$21.6 billion. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.”

Copyright @ 2019, Island Sun newspaper

REGIONAL CRIME

Candian in Fiji court on drugs charges

Quoting Radio New Zealand – 18 February 2019

A Canadian man will appear in a Fiji court today charged with possession of drugs worth more than $US14 million.

Fiji Village reported a police raid at the 24-year-old's home in Suva found more than 30 bars of white powder which later tested positive for cocaine.

Police are now investigating the source of the drugs.

Copyright © 2019, Radio New Zealand

SI: SWITCH TO CHINA. AUSTRALIA SAYS IT RESPECTS THE SI DECISION

Australia says it respects Solomons' decision to switch to China

Quoting Radio New Zealand – 20 September 2019

“Australia says Solomon Islands' decision to end 36 years of diplomatic relations with Taiwan will not affect the Pacific nation's bilateral relationship with Canberra.

“This week Solomon Islands cabinet voted overwhelmingly in support of establishing diplomatic ties with China prompting Taipei to terminate their bilateral relations.

“Honiara has yet to establish diplomatic relations with China, but Beijing has already issued a statement welcoming the move.

“Australia is by far Solomon Islands largest aid donor with $AU187 million in official development assistance provided in the past financial year according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“A spokesperson from Australia's foreign ministry said Australia respected the sovereign right of the Solomons government to make its own decision and that the decision will not alter the bilateral relationship between Canberra and Honiara.

"Australia does not take a position on other countries' choices about their diplomatic relationships," the spokesperson said.”

Copyright @ 2019, Radio New Zealand.

DISABILITY AND ACCESSABILITY

Honiara : 29 September 2015.

Letter to the Editor, Solomon Star Newspaper.

The People with Disability Solomon Islands organization’s president Casper Fa'asala, speaking with Karoi Hawkins on Radio New Zealand International’s Dateline Pacific news program last week, said people living with disability in the Solomon Islands are marginalized and have limited access to basic services like education, healthcare, clean water and access.