AUSTRALIA’S Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, has concluded a two-day visit to Solomon Islands during which he announced increased support for Solomon Islands national health priorities, handed over security infrastructure projects, and met with members of the Government for National Unity and Transformation.
Minister Conroy was honoured to meet with Prime Minister Manele to discuss economic, security and development priorities, and continue exploring opportunities to achieve a transformational partnership.
He also met with Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, Hon Rexon Ramofafia, and Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Hon Jimson Tanangada, to discuss Australia’s extensive development and economic support to the Solomon Islands, and to listen to the priorities of the Solomon Islands Government, including Solomon Islands’ request for Australian assistance to grow the RSIPF.
Highlights of the program were Minister Conroy handing over a SBD 120 million upgrade to Aola Wharf, the primary wharf facility for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Maritime Force, which will extend the lifespan of the wharf by an additional 30 years, and a SBD 6.3 million community solar lighting project, which will increase safety in vulnerable communities in Honiara and Western Province.
Minister Conroy also announced a game changing uplift to Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division (SICED). The SBD 10.5 million uplift, to be supported by Australian Border Force, will include a major boost to SICED’s capabilities through a UNODC Passenger and Container Control Program, vehicles, small craft, and a suite of specialist training on maritime, aviation and trade enforcement.
The initiative will not only help SICED to disrupt illicit or prohibited goods, but support Solomon Islands’ budget position by improving revenue collection.
Minister Conroy was also joined by Minister for Health and Medical Services, Hon Paul Popora Bosawai, in announcing Australia is boosting its support to the health sector.
Through the Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative (SBD85 million for Solomon Islands), Australian and Solomon Islands partners will work together across more than 20 new and continuing partnerships to tackle a range of national health priorities including cervical cancer, rheumatic heart disease, health information and data systems, medical supply procurement and prevention, detection and response to disease outbreaks.
At a private function, Minister Conroy announced Australia will provide a record-breaking 100 new Australia Awards to Solomon Islanders over the next 12 months.
This will give 50 Solomon Islanders the opportunity to study on Australia Awards Scholarships at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and another 50 to participate in fit-for-purpose Australia Awards Short Courses at Australian universities.
The Solomon Islands National University also hosted Minister Conroy to deliver a public address extolling the jobs, skills and growth benefits of the Solomon Islands-Australia economic partnership.
Minister Conroy’s visit continues in Papua New Guinea today.
