Australia offers fresh Solomons aid ahead of PIF Summit
Australia has announced $A11 million in support to improve roads in Solomon Islands as it prepares to host the Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit.
Pacific Island Minister Pat Conroy unveiled the pledge in Honiara on Thursday along with a condition aimed squarely at Australia's geopolitical rival China.
Australian officials are privately critical of Chinese foreign aid delivered by migrant workers in the Pacific, with Mr Conroy saying this funding would avoid the practice.
"We are making sure our projects are delivered by local companies," he said.
"This is the best way we can ensure economic benefits flow to Solomon Islands from day one, and that these projects create more jobs for locals."
China is also delivering road upgrades in the notoriously choked-up Honiara, which relies on one key arterial road to service the capital's business districts and airport.
Poor drainage also means that heavy rain can produce flooding to the central city.
However, no country donates more aid to the Solomon Islands than Australia, a fact the government trumpets on billboards on the main Mendana Avenue.
Australia's fresh funding will go towards 12 roads: four in the northern island of Malaita and eight in Honiara, the host of the regional summit in September.
"We know the impact of deteriorating roads for getting to work, getting produce to market, getting children and family members to school or health services," Mr Conroy said.
"Communities along Malaita's South Road were effectively cut off from essential services for over two years due to the South Road being impassable.
"Farmers of Malaita's sweetest pineapples could not get to Auki market, women could not get to hospital for complicated child births, many children stopped going to school, and the price of goods doubled.
"The reopening of the South Road last year – with support from Australia and the great work of local contractors – has restored that vital link from Auki to Bina and beyond."
Mr Conroy announced another $A7 million in aid for the Tina River Hydro scheme, taking its total support for the renewable energy project to $A70 million.
When complete, the mighty dam is expected to power two-thirds of Honiara's energy needs.
The government has also pledged to double funding for surveillance of illegal fishing in the region,.
The announcements wrapped up Mr Conroy's three-nation swing through the Pacific this week, including visits to Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
In Suva, Mr Conroy became the first Australian minister invited to a Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting, holding bilateral talks with the prime ministers from all four member nations: Fiji, Vanuatu, PNG and Solomon Islands.
The trip also took in Port Moresby, coinciding with the announcement of the inaugural board for the expansion NRL side entering the league.
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