Japan to provide SBD$29 million for Honiara street lights and a Geology Laboratory
According to the SIBC, the Government of Japan has signed an Exchange of Notes with the Government of Solomon Islands for a grant aid of SBD$29 million that will go towards a Geology Laboratory and Solar Street Lights for Honiara city.
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The Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Morimoto Yasuhiro and Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele signed the Exchange of Notes in the presence of officials from Solomon Power, Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification and senior Government officials.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Ambassador Yasuhiro says the assistance was made possible through Japan's Grant Aid for Economic and Social Development Programme.
“The Exchange of Note signing today is the third in Solomon Islands for Grant Aid under the Grant Aid for Economic and Social Development Programme which started in 2018, with the first assistance to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, and in 2020 to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
“The signing formalizes a 400 million Japanese Yen (Approx. SBD 29million) assistance to the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, especially to the Geological Survey Division and Solomon Power,” Ambassador Yasuhiro said.
He said the Geological Survey Division through this assistance will acquire very much needed Geological laboratory equipment such as Gas and Liquid Chromatography for oil and gas sample component testing, a portable drilling machine and other equipment.
He added Solomon Power will be able to erect Solar Street Lights in and around the communities in Honiara city.
Meanwhile, Minister Manele thanked the Japanese Government for its continuous assistance in the challenging times.
He said the Solar Street Lights will complement the support provided by Japan for the
Kukum HighWay Phase 2 project as well combating climate change.
“This grant aid will be used to purchase 110 solar powered street lights which will be installed by Solomon Power.
“For the geological laboratory, the support will be used to purchase laboratory equipment to
analyse rock, soil, and water, gas and oil samples. The geological laboratory will be managed
by the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification
“With this funding assistance, I belief it will improve the Geological Survey Department’s capacity to support the Government’s initiative, including mineral and geological exploration for supporting economic development as well as mitigating disaster risks,” Minister Manele said.
The Minister added, the infrastructural initiative by the Ministry of Mines and Energy for the
installation of Street Solar Lights will improve the country’s energy efficiency and conservation as it prepares to host the Pacific Games in 2023. “Such green initiative will also minimize the use of diesel fuel and provide lighting for feeder roads in the suburbs around Honiara City.
The geological laboratory will support the government’s testing capability and capacity to determine soil and rock types and identify mineral resources,” Minister Manele concluded.
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Yours sincerely
Frank Short
