The Small Malaita Constituency received an early Christmas gift of SBD 1.5 million worth of brand-new road machinery from the People’s Republic of China and Solomon Islands Government partnership program, the Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP), in Honiara last Friday.
This generous support, which includes a grader and a road roller compactor, marks a significant milestone for the people of Small Malaita in advancing the ongoing road infrastructure development on Small Malaita with the overall policy objective to bringing market and services accessibility and fostering socio-economic development in the region.
“This support is not just a donation but a recognition of our constituency’s strategic direction and our determination to open up Small Malaita through strategic infrastructure development,” Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Terry Brown Honimae said when delivering his remarks on behalf of the Member of Parliament for Small Malaita Constituency, Honourable Rick Hou.
“This is a practical support aligned with our development mandate—one that will directly impact the quality of life of our people,” CDO Honimae emphasized.
“…we reaffirm our commitment to responsible leadership, transparency, and accountability in using these machines for our road development. The people of Small Malaita can be assured that this support strengthens our political commitment to delivering tangible development on the ground.
“We look forward to continued cooperation with PRC and other partners who share our vision of a stronger, more connected, and resilient community. Today’s handover clearly indicates that Small Malaita is moving forward—and we will continue to lead with purpose, unity, and determination,” Mr. Honimae stressed.
Counsellor Li Qinghua from the Chinese Embassy in Solomon Islands in her remarks stated that the handover marks a new chapter of practical cooperation between PRC and Solomon Islands under the new phase of RSDP.
Ms Li stated that, as a partnership between the PRC and the people of Solomon Islands, the main purpose of RSDP is to improve social and economic development in Solomon Islands.
Counsellor Li further highlighted China’s ongoing dedication to supporting rural development initiatives in the Solomon Islands.
She also stressed China’s commitment to providing capacity-building and training opportunities for Solomon Islands’ constituencies, with the primary goal of transferring knowledge—an effort aimed at empowering Solomon Islands to achieve development and prosperity.
Speaking on behalf of the government John Misite’e, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), expressed his gratitude to PRC for its unwavering commitment and support toward the RSDP and to the improvement of the lives of the people of Solomon Islands.
PS Misite’e also acknowledged the trust PRC placed in MRD to effectively implement the partnership program.
PS Misite’e said that road machines are just the beginning of the needed input in the process for tangible outcomes at the rural level in Small Malaita. “The work begins when the machines are on the ground doing the work.”
“In any country, road infrastructure and access are very vital in its economic and social development.
“I hope these machines will boost the constituency’s efforts in its development aspirations and road project implementation for the benefit of all communities of Small Malaita.”
A community representative and CDC member for SMC, Fr. Stanley Hoiasi, also shared similar sentiments while acknowledging the Chinese government for its continuous support for the people of his constituency.
He acknowledged that supporting the SMC in its road development will benefit all communities and people on the islands.
With these additional road machines, the SMC now increases its operating capacity and enabling the current road project to be delivered more effectively on the various segments of the road.
PRC started to support RSDP since 2023. The program is strictly proposal-based, with MRD coordinating its implementation in partnership with the Chinese Embassy in Honiara to ensure that project applications align with the Global Development Initiative proposed by PRC, including the Belt and Road Initiative and the SIG National Development Strategy (NDS), 2016-2035.
The program intends to focus on the high number of rural-based Solomon islanders living in remote rural areas within the 50 constituencies, including the underdeveloped urban and semi-urban areas in the country.
The thematic areas of priority under RSDP are social and economic infrastructures, including income-generating projects and those proposals addressing improvement of livelihood, food security, and climate-change.
