The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) Safeguards Team, in collaboration with the Choiseul Provincial Government, successfully conducted a series of awareness activities and established a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for the Choiseul Bay Township Project (CBTP) Road Lot connecting to Ngalivuli.
The three-day engagement, held last week (14th-16th May), includes community awareness sessions and the formation of the CAC—an essential platform for ongoing communication and collaboration.
Currently, the road construction for Lot 1 is being undertaken by FT Builders and is planned to connect to the existing Ngalivuli road junction. To date, approximately 9 km of this road lot has been completed, with around 11 km remaining.
An engineer from the Central Project Implementation Unit (CPIU) also accompanied the Safeguards Team, conducting initial assessments for a bridge connecting the unsealed road to the new township.
Communities along this road corridor expressed strong support for the ongoing construction, highlighting its importance for connectivity to the new township and its socio-economic benefits within the bay areas.
Roxsley Basil, MID Chief Safeguards Officer, stated that community chiefs and elders participated actively during the awareness program, reaffirming their commitment to the project’s success.
“Our team facilitated transparent information sharing, addressing community concerns regarding land access, environmental safeguards, and social benefits.
“This open dialogue aims to strengthen community trust and ownership.”
The awareness sessions covered key topics such as environmental safeguards, grievance redress mechanisms, land rights, and the anticipated positive impacts on local livelihoods.
Mr. Basil said the newly established CAC comprises representatives from Poroporo, Subesube, Rabakela, Loimuni, Sipokana, Molevanga, and Ngalivuli.
“These committees will help manage grievances, disseminate information, and facilitate community participation throughout the project’s cycle,” he explained.
Committee members include chiefs, women, youth representatives, and landowners within the bay area.
This awareness program will enhance community ownership, reduce social risks, and support the smooth implementation of the project until its completion.
A technical team from MID also completed a preliminary assessment for the township project last month, conducting road alignments, culvert and drainage system evaluations, and bridge structure assessments—crucial elements for the project’s success.
CBTP has recently been declared a national government project by the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), marking a significant step toward relocating Taro Town to the mainland. This initiative is a pioneering effort in the Pacific Islands, addressing challenges posed by climate change and limited space for urban growth.
