After many months of traveling on bad road conditions, people of north Malaita can now enjoy travelling on a much-improved road.

Thanks to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) for the completion of routine maintenance, re-gravelling, spot upgrading for climate resiliency, and road safety improvement works for 17 kilometres of the North Road in Malaita Province.

The road is a vital link connecting key locations such as the provincial capital, Auki Jetty and Market, Auki Gwaunaru’u Airfield, and Kilu’ufi Hospital, with Dala (Forcim) Market and communities along North and East Roads. The works have entered its Defects Liability Period (DLP), marking a significant milestone in enhancing transportation and economic growth in the region.

World Bank through the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP) funded the road works which were then implemented by MID.

_{Part of the rehabilitated North Malaita Road (PC:SIRAP)}

Local contractor Exodus Trade Development Limited, with construction supervision provided by SMECwas contracted to rehabilitate the road.
The works commenced on July 18, 2023, substantially completed on August 9, 2024, and are now under the DLP for 12 months, lasting until August 9, 2025.

MID Permanent Secretary (PS) Allan Lilia expressed they are thrilled to see the North Road works reach this important milestone.

“The completion of this road is a significant achievement for Malaita Province and reflects our commitment to improving infrastructure throughout Solomon Islands,” he said.

The MID PS also vows to continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that the road serves the people of Malaita for many years to come.
In addition to the SIRAP investments in Malaita, the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2) is building four new bridges in Malaita (Kolofe1, Kolofe2, Su’u Harbor, and Bira Bridges), upgrading Honiara and Munda Airports and Santa Cruz (Lata) Airfield, investing in air navigation systems in Makira-Ulawa and Temotu Provinces, along with supporting regional airport maintenance.