by Ronald Toito’ona
The resignation of Solomon Water CEO Carmine Piantedosi and board member Alan McNeil has exposed deep divisions within Solomon Islands’ main water utility and raised new questions about the stalled Kongulai Water Treatment Plant — one of the country’s most critical infrastructure projects.
Two weeks after the resignations, Solomon Water Board Chairman Dr Culwick Togamana publicly addressed the fallout, describing the departures as a “huge undertaking” for the board and revealing details of the internal tensions that have crippled the utility.
Behind this administrative shake-up lies a more complex story, one that intertwines procurement controversies, governance disputes, and an unfinished national project that was meant to transform water security in Honiara.
The Kongulai Water Project: A Flagship Now Stuck in Court
The Kongulai Water Treatment Plant and Pipeline Project was launched under the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (UWSSSP) — a partnership between the Solomon Islands Government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
It was envisioned to deliver 15 million litres of clean water per day, ensuring reliable supply to Honiara regardless of weather or flooding.
But three years later, the project is mired in delays and legal disputes.
“The Kongulai project reinforces the national policy to ensure access to clean drinking water.
“To have a functioning treatment plant will fulfil that obligation,” Togamana explained.
According to Togamana, the project was awarded to Rean Watertech, which was selected through a rigorous ADB tender process among five international contractors.
He said Rean met all eligibility requirements and was not blacklisted by ADB or the World Bank.
“Rean met the criteria which the Bids Evaluation Committee looked into,” Togamae stated.
“There is no doubt about its competency.”
However, by December 2023, Solomon Water terminated Rean’s contract due to “non-performance,” after the company allegedly completed only 5% of work despite a one-year contract timeline.
“The contract should have been completed by June 2023. I actually went to see the site, but only about 5% of the groundwork was done,” Togamana said.
“The contract has been terminated and is now being challenged in court.”
This litigation has effectively frozen progress on the project, with the utility unable to continue construction until a ruling is made.
Meanwhile, the reservoirs already built in Titige, Tasahe, and Panatina remain idle, awaiting the treatment plant’s completion.
The CEO’s Departure and a Board Divided
Togamana revealed that the board’s plan to conduct an independent audit into Solomon Water’s delayed infrastructure projects became a major point of contention with CEO Piantedosi.
The proposed audit, initiated during a board meeting in December 2024, aimed to determine causes of project delays, assess contract management, and ensure compliance with procurement procedures.
But according to Togamana, the CEO viewed the move as an act of distrust.
“The CEO felt that we undermined his leadership and that we didn’t have confidence in the Project Management Unit (of Solomon Water)” he said.
“He expressed strong reservations and verbally told us he would step aside.”
Multiple internal sources confirmed to In-depth Solomons that disagreements also arose over whether to re-engage Rean Water Solutions to complete the Kongulai project — an idea the CEO opposed but the new board reportedly explored.
“Any thought or suggestion for re-engaging Rean would definitely come under strong reaction from the CEO,” Togamana noted.
“That’s how I see it — why he resigned.”
The board chairman said they have not yet re-engaged Rean to continue the Kongulai project.
“Although that has been mentioned in the media, the board is still exploring that possibility.
“And I will probably give that information why we should do that, at a later stage,” Togamana stated.
The Government’s Dilemma: Service vs. Profit
The Kongulai project impasse has drawn national attention, with the government reiterating its commitment to deliver reliable water services to citizens while navigating the constraints of legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said the issue goes beyond infrastructure, it speaks to the heart of public policy.
“Water is life. It’s a public good,” PM Manele told journalists this week.
“As a government, making sure that people have access to water services is critical. Through the Ministry of Mines and Energy, we hope to work closely with the Solomon Water Board to address this.”
Attorney General John Muria Jr. explained that the government had tried to mediate between Solomon Water and Rean before the dispute reached the courts.
“Since 2023, we’ve tried our best to make sure parties come to the table,” Muria said.
“But once it went to court, the Executive could not intervene. We must respect the process of the judiciary.”
Muria also highlighted a broader tension within the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Act, which transformed entities like Solomon Water from service providers into profit-oriented companies — a shift he said conflicts with the government’s service delivery objectives.
“Under the SOE Act, utilities are now run as profit-making bodies. But the government’s policy is service provision,” he explained.
A National Utility Under Scrutiny
The dual resignations and ongoing litigation have placed Solomon Water under unprecedented scrutiny. The board’s credibility, the government’s oversight, and the public’s trust are all being tested as the utility faces operational and governance challenges.
For now, the Kongulai project remains in limbo, with the case expected to return to court by April 2026. Until then, Honiara’s residents will continue to experience periodic water shortages and discolored supply whenever heavy rains hit the Kongulai catchment.
“At the moment, we pump untreated water directly from the stream,” Togamae admitted.
“If it becomes turbid because of flooding, we have to stop. This will continue until a proper treatment plant is built.”
The Bigger Picture: What’s Next for Solomon Water
The resignations have left Solomon Water at a crossroads. The board now faces the dual task of appointing a new CEO and steering one of the country’s most important infrastructure projects out of legal and operational paralysis.
The broader question, however, remains unresolved: should Solomon Water continue to operate as a commercial entity, or return to its original role as a public service provider?
For the people of Honiara, still waiting for clean, reliable water, the answer cannot come soon enough.
You must be logged in to post a comment.