Permanent road safety features will soon be installed along the Henderson to Mberande Road in East Guadalcanal, as road improvement works under the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP) near completion. Similar safety installations are also planned for upgraded roads within Honiara City, with works expected to be completed by mid-2026.
The safety features will include roadside guardrails, guide posts, road markings, and traffic signs. These measures are designed to improve road safety, regulate traffic flow, and provide clear guidance to both drivers and pedestrians. They will warn road users of potential hazards and provide important information such as speed limits, upcoming speed humps, narrow bridges, and changing road conditions.
Supervising Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), Mike Qaqara, said the installation of road safety infrastructure is a critical part of the Government’s efforts to reduce road accidents and improve overall road user behaviour.
“Road signs and safety features are not decorations; they are lifesaving tools. They are designed to protect drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and nearby communities. Respecting and following them is everyone’s responsibility,” Mr Qaqara said.
He expressed concern that in the past, some road safety infrastructure installed under similar projects had been vandalised or stolen, describing the practice as deeply disappointing. He noted that such actions not only undermine national development efforts but also place lives at serious risk.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that the damage or removal of road safety features directly endangers road users and surrounding communities.
The general public is therefore strongly urged to respect all installed road safety measures. Road users are also encouraged to familiarise themselves with the meanings of various road signs and to comply with the instructions provided.
Currently, road signs are limited along many public roads in Honiara and across the Solomon Islands. To help address this gap and improve public awareness, the Government has attached a schedule to this press release outlining the legal status and intended purpose of the road signs to be installed under the LMCP and other road upgrade projects.
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development, in partnership with contractors and stakeholders, calls on all Solomon Islanders to work together to protect road infrastructure and promote a strong culture of road safety for the benefit of all.
