Honiara : 3 May 2016
The Solomon Islands Government preparatory work for the proposed Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded Fiu River hydropower project in Malaita Province is progressing well, according to a statement made by the Prime Minister, the Hon Manesseh Sogavare, in Parliament yesterday.
The Prime Minister gave his detailed update on the Fiu Hydropower Project in his response to a question by the Leader of Opposition, the Hon Jeremiah Manele, about implementation progress of national projects in Malaita.
The PM said the finalisation of the Fiu hydropower project site land acquisition process will involve the signing of the land-lease by the Commissioner of Lands, a land-premium payment to landowning tribes and the eventual transfer of the land-lease to Solpower (Solomon Islands Electricity Authority).
The topographical survey, geotechnical survey and the design and procurement work will follow on respectively after the completion of the land acquisition process, the Prime Minister explained.
The topographical survey and geotechnical survey will be funded by the (ADB) and a Project Steering Committee (PSC) has already been established to oversee the implementation of the project, as required by the ADB Project Administration Manual, and the committee consists of the relevant Government Ministries, the Malaita Provincial Government and Solpower, the Prime Minister further clarified.
The PSC in its first meeting last Wednesday, April 27 April, discussed landowner issues to be addressed by the Solomon Islands Government to ensure the smooth implementation of the entire project.
The Prime Minister concluded by adding that Solpower is now awaiting a Letter of ‘No Objection’ from the (ADB) to the engagement of design supervision consultants , Saman Corporation of Korea, before signing a contract with the company to become the Design Supervision Consultants to the project.
The two parties are hoping to sign the contract next week.
Source: Solomon Islands Government Press Release
