The first shipment of construction materials for the highly anticipated Bellona Wharf project departed Honiara early this week.
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), contractor for this key infrastructure development, has been working tirelessly to ensure the delivery of materials necessary for the initial phase of the project at the site of Ahanga Port (locally called Ngango), western end of Bellona Island (Mungiki) in the Rennell Bellona Province.
Key components of this initial shipment include essential equipment for site clearing and preparation, which will facilitate the establishment of a contractor’s camp for personnel accommodation. Additionally, this shipment contains critical construction materials and tools, such as circular hollow section (CHS) piles and steel tube piles, fundamental to the wharf’s foundational structure.
CCECC clarifies that physical construction of the wharf structure is set to commence in June of this year.
“This initial phase will involve driving foundation piling, lifting, and installing superstructures with the aid of heavy machinery, among other related activities.”
Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) Safeguards and Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP) supervision consultants have also been actively engaging with local communities over the past few months. Their focus has been to address any social and environmental issues arising from this project, ensuring open lines of communication with affected families in Bellona.
This Polynesian outlier with an estimated population of 3000+ and its sister island Rennell have long faced significant challenges due to inadequate maritime infrastructure and irregular shipping services, impacting economic development.
This $55.8 million Bellona Wharf project, part of the Maritime Component of the LMCP, is supported by funding from both the Asian Development Bank and the Solomon Islands government, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing national transport infrastructure, which is critical for economic and social development in rural and remote areas.
It is scheduled for completion by July 2026.
