The FINANCIAL — Rehabilitation work has begun on Lengana Wharf in Western Province, making it the thirteenth to be upgraded under the Domestic Maritime Support Project supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Australia, and New Zealand.
The project is improving rural wharves to boost their safety and to make them less vulnerable to climate change and natural hazards, according to ADB.
At Lengana Wharf the existing structure will be demolished and a new one built alongside, with approach bridges and a causeway included in the planned works. The design of the new wharf will see it elevated high enough to minimize wave and debris damage on the underside, as well as including pilings able to withstand earthquakes.
Upgrading the Lengana facility will boost access to markets and social services, and provide incentives to increase copra and cocoa production and other economic activities when ships begin using it. Improving connections from Nusa Simbo to other parts of Solomon Islands will also increase access to employment opportunities, especially for young people. Solomon Islands and other economies across the Pacific face rising challenges in generating jobs for their rapidly growing working-age populations.
So far, the project has upgraded five wharves and two landing ramps under the first phase financed by ADB and the European Union. Seven wharves and a ramp were improved under the second phase, financed by the Government of the Solomon Islands ADB, the Government of Australia and the New Zealand Aid Programme.
The project has also established a franchise-shipping scheme to support remote communities. The scheme provides an incentive to private sector operators to deliver shipping services to destinations that would not otherwise be commercially viable. Improving shipping services and upgrading wharves and jetties is key to reducing barriers to market access and promoting rural production in remote areas.
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