Australia has appointed local contractor Exodus Trade Development to build the new Malu’u Market, creating more local jobs and delivering a high quality, welcoming space for community.
At a formal signing ceremony held on Friday at the Malaita Provincial Government Assembly Chambers, Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Rod Hilton, acknowledged the rapid development of Solomon Islands construction sector, and its growing capacity to deliver Australia’s large portfolio of infrastructure support to Solomon Islands.
“This is the fifth market to be built or redeveloped by Solomon Islanders, for Solomon Islanders, and funded by Australia in the last two years,” High Commissioner Hilton said.
“This creates more local jobs, more work for local suppliers, and increases the capacity of the local industry to deliver high quality infrastructure under the Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership.”
The new Malu’u Market has been designed in consultation with communities and provincial government, with space for up to 140 vendors. The new market provides 40,000 litres of water tank storage, solar lighting, improved waste management and sanitation, and is climate-resilient.
Australia is also working with local communities to plant coastal trees and mangroves to help stabilise and protect the foreshore in front of the market from the impact of high seas.
Director of Exodus Trade Development, Mr Jeremiah Fono’ota, said winning contracts for both the Malu’u Market and Busurata Road was a very rare privilege.
“These contracts elevate our status, and the quality and standard of the construction we can deliver for our government and development partners,” Mr Fono’ota said.
“For Malu’u Market, it’s big infrastructure for North Malaita, and we expect it will employ many workers during the construction.”
Mr Fono’ota said industry training provided by Australia’s Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program in how to win tenders meant they were able to meet the requirements needed for quality projects.
High Commissioner Hilton said all provincial markets delivered by the Australian-funded Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program have been designed with vendors and community in mind, ensuring an inclusive space for everyone to earn an income for their family.
“The new Malu’u Market, like the Seghe and Buala markets also under construction, will be a welcoming space for all members of the community. This means wheelchair users have accessible toilets, showers and low height benches to sell their produce, separate showers and toilets for men and women, and a parent’s room for nursing mothers,” High Commissioner Hilton said.
“Markets play a central role in any community for bringing people together for buying and selling produce, which helps them to pay school fees and other family expenses.”
Malaita’s Provincial Minister for Finance and Administration, Honourable Lemuel Kevianga, acknowledged Australia’s continuous support to the people of his province, saying the contract signing was a symbol of the shared vision and strong partnership between Australia, Solomon Islands and the people of Malaita.
“Australia’s approach is one of empowering our people and strengthening our economic foundation,” Minister Kevianga said.
“The new market will provide a safe space for our women and children, improve food security and encourage local economic activity.”
Australia has already funded the construction of a temporary market close by, with the old market house already demolished to make way for the new permanent market facility.
