Noro Township Road Improvement Project officially opens, boosting Western Province’s connectivity and growth
The Noro Township Road Improvement Project under the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP II) was officially opened on Friday.
MID Minister and World Bank Country Representative Bernard Harborne
These road improvement works carried out by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) commenced in March 2024 and represent a major investment of over SBD 120 million, funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) through a Project Support Team (PST).
The project involves the construction of approximately 10.2 km of road networks across Noro Town.
It connects children to schools, farmers to markets, families to health services, businesses to broader markets, and the communities of Noro to new opportunities.
Noro, as a hub for fisheries, trade, and tourism—this road strengthens the foundation for economic growth and social wellbeing.
It will reduce travel time, improve road safety, and create new pathways for prosperity and sustainable development.
Key guest speaker MID Minister Hon. Ricky Fuo’o in his remarks said this project directly aligns with one of the key strategic policies of the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT): the building and upgrading of infrastructures to support economic activities and improve the quality of life for all citizens.
The Noro road
The national government will continue to support development initiatives in Western Province for the betterment of its people and our nation as a whole.
“As we officially open this road today, it stands as a symbol of progress, unity, and hope.
“It reminds us that when the government, development partners, and communities work together, we can achieve great things.
“My ministry remains committed to advancing infrastructure development in the province through continued donor partnerships and government funding in the years ahead,” Hon. Fuo’o stated.
He said for this year, under the second Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement Project (CAUSE II), it will rehabilitate sections of Meddean Street and a bridge in Gizo. Furthermore, under the ministry’s 2026 development budget, it outlines work to rehabilitate the Gizo Wharf coastline protection to enhance its climate resilience.
Minister Fuo’o presenting a gift to CCECC Country Manager Mr. Huang
He acknowledged the World Bank, the western provincial government, engineers, the contractor, the project support team, local workers, the Noro Community Advisory Committee and the business community for their support during the implementation of this project.
“Your patience, cooperation, and support have made this achievement possible,” the Central Kwara’ae parliament member remarked.
He further added that such infrastructure upgrade comes with responsibility.
“Let us work together to maintain and protect it so that future generations may continue to benefit. Let us work together in protecting this important infrastructure from vandalism.”
Western Province Premier Billy Veo, in his remarks, shared that this road project itself is notable in many aspects;
Noro is the second industrial hub of the Solomon Islands. It hosts the country’s only tuna and fish processing plant; it hosts the country’s second international seaport and is a stone’s throw away from the country’s second international airport at Munda.
“We also have a number of key government agencies established here in Noro – the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Customs and Excise, the Immigration Division, Biosecurity, Environmental Health and other state actors.
“The increasing significance of Noro as the second hub to Honiara definitely warrants the need for this project, and I am glad that the National Government, together with the World Bank under SIRAP, recognizes this significance,” he said.
The road improvement ends at Soltuna gates and a total of 11 bus bays across Noro town
Premier Veo further called on the good people of Noro, stakeholders, users and the public at large to please respect and look after these assets.
“I already noted some reports of some selfish people causing damage to railings and other fixtures. Please, let’s take responsibility and learn to appreciate the gifts bestowed upon us.
“These cost a lot of money, and we should be thankful that we are the recipients of such useful infrastructure,” he stated.
World Bank Country Representative Mr Bernard Harborne, in his address, highlights that the road upgrades are critical for the transportation of fishery and agriculture products to markets, as well as access to employment, health, education, and social services.
“This project is a testament to what can be achieved with a common goal—a stronger, safer, and more connected Solomon Islands,” he remarked.
The program hosted at Noro’s Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) complex features a tour of the road by key guests seeing and feeling firsthand the inroad networks to communities and the highway stretch from the Tausinga area to the gates of the Soltuna cannery.
The master of ceremony for the event was MID’s Deputy Secretary of Corporate Services. Andrew Houlia and other key guests witnessing the programme include Member of Parliament for West New Georgia–Vona Vona, Hon. George Temahua; former parliament member Silas Tausinga; Western Provincial Assembly Members; SIRAP2) National Steering Committee members; Supervising Consultant, Egis Asia; CCECC representatives; Noro Town Council and stakeholders; government officials; chiefs; and community and church leaders.
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MID statement