The North Guadalcanal Constituency (NGC) office, under the visionary leadership of Honourable Member of Parliament and Minister for Health, Dr. Paul Bosawai, has invested $360,000 in rehabilitating four roads within the constituency.
This initiative aims to enhance basic livelihoods and promote economic growth.
The NGC office is funding the rehabilitation work under its 2025 CDF budget allocation, which is provided by the national government under the essential sector grant component.
Roads undergoing upgrade include Suagi Road, which passes through Bridge Barol to the Suagi community; Maluka; Gilutae; Ghaimali; and the access road to the Suagi Catholic Church.
Honourable Dr. Bosawai said that these roads had previously deteriorated and been abandoned over the past years, rendering them impassable and posing significant challenges for people, especially farmers, to transport their farm produce to markets.
He said that creating an enabling environment for communities, farmers, and constituents to participate meaningfully in socio-economic activities is one of the top priorities of the NGC office under his leadership.
Last year, the NGC office also invested $1.5 million in road infrastructure development and upgrades in the whole constituency, with funding support from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including SBD$1 million under the Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP) in 2023, and the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) through the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), which provided SBD$300,000 under the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) programme for 2024. An additional SBD$200,000 came from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) under the National Transport Fund (NTF).
Feeder roads that underwent maintenance last year 2024 include Taloa, Vutu, Ngalimbera, Koli, Komuporo, Tumurora, Ghorabau, Suagi, Roroni, and Rughavolo.
“These are vital economic investments for our people,” Hon. Dr. Bosawai said.
“Our communities, farmers, and constituents are set to benefit significantly from these ongoing road maintenance efforts, which are crucial for both local livelihoods and the transportation of agricultural produce to Honiara,” he added.
He further stated that this initiative aims to enhance accessibility for farmers and bolster the region’s economic output, particularly in the oil palm sector.
“Roads in North Guadalcanal are not merely conduits for transportation; they are lifelines for the local economy.
“The constituency is home to numerous oil palm out-growers, whose contributions play an essential role in the production output of Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL). This output is vital not only for local employment but also for the national economy of Solomon Islands,” Hon. Dr. Bosawai emphasized.
Hon. Dr. Bosawai has been a strong advocate for economic infrastructure, such as roads, emphasizing their importance for his constituents’ livelihoods.
“Maintaining roads within our constituency is not just about infrastructure; it’s about ensuring that our people can access markets, transport their goods, and improve their quality of life,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hon. Dr. Bosawai expressed sincere gratitude to the road contractor, Sustainable Resource Management (SRM), for their partnership in these essential maintenance projects.
“Our collaboration with SRM has been instrumental in restoring these roads to a condition that supports our community’s needs.
“Farmers will find it easier to reach markets, and consumers in Honiara will benefit from a more reliable supply of goods,” Hon. Dr. Bosawai said.
Local communities, farmers, and constituents have expressed gratitude to the government through Hon. Dr. Bosawai and the constituency office for the road improvements, which provide vital access to essential social services such as health, education, and markets.
The Chairman of Taloa Community Gabriel Vaghi said his community has experienced a significant transformation in its accessibility to essential services because of the recent improvements in road infrastructure.
“The changes have had a profound impact on the lives of our residents, especially during emergencies and daily activities.
“In the past, when the roads were impassable, our communities found it really challenging to access health services in times of emergency,” Mr. Vaghi explained.
“Patients often had to endure long, difficult journeys to reach medical facilities, which sometimes proved life-threatening. Today, however, emergencies are handled much more efficiently. When there is a need, we just call, and an ambulance comes straight to our community, saving precious time and potentially saving lives,” Mr Vaghi said.
Apart from emergency health services, the communities have also noted remarkable improvements in daily movement, particularly for women and girls. Previously, women and girls had to walk long distances to reach the main road and catch transport, often facing safety concerns and fatigue. Now, with the new roads and transport services directly reaching the communities, life has become much easier and more comfortable.
“Transport now comes straight to our communities, making it much more convenient for us to go about our daily activities, including going to markets,” Joyce Vaghi of Taloa Commmunity said.
“Our women and girls no longer have to walk long distances with their markets, which makes a huge difference in their safety and relief.”
Other residents also shared similar sentiments, emphasizing that the improved road infrastructure has not only enhanced their mobility but also contributed to their overall well-being and social development.
The community’s access to health, education, and economic opportunities has been significantly enhanced, fostering a more resilient and thriving community.
The Health Minister said that the NGC, under his leadership, remains committed and focused on ensuring that these crucial infrastructure developments lead to long-term economic benefits for its people.
“The commitment to maintaining these roads reflects a broader vision for sustainable development in the region, fostering resilience and growth in the agricultural sector,” Hon. Dr. Bosawai emphasized.
He added that he is very optimistic about utilizing CDF to promote development for the betterment of his people and the country as a whole.
Hon. Dr Bosawai also expressed profound gratitude to the government and all stakeholders for their funding support towards development initiatives in the constituency.
He further announced that more road maintenance work will be carried out in 2026, emphasizing that roads are an important infrastructure for improving people’s livelihoods.
“The return on investment for these roads is greater than what we have invested through economic engagement, such as market access,” he added.
Hon. Dr. Bosawai also took the time to thank God for His guidance and also acknowledge the resilience and patience of the people of North Guadalcanal.
Other scheduled NGC projects for handover include: 200 recipients of roofing irons; the Suagi clinic; logistical support for the 12 economic zones; support for tertiary students in 2026; and other livelihoods assistance programs.
