SIPA officially hands over HCC Pedestrian Crossing

The Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) officially handed over the HCC Pedestrian Crossing to the Honiara City Council (HCC) in a brief ceremony today.

The official handover marks the completion of the first of many roads improvement projects that SIPA has planned for this year for its community support initiative.

Speaking at the ceremony, SIPA Chief Executive Officer Eranda Kotelawala said construction of the pedestrian crossing is part of their social corporate responsibility and obligation as a state-owned enterprise to the country.

He said it is also to support the government in some of its development initiatives.

“The main reason is to establish safety when pedestrians cross the road which we have seen as kind of an absence with a lot of maintenance work going on.”

“Also, it will give some sort of a discipline not only to the pedestrians but also for our drivers, as while the pedestrians respect the traffic flow, the drivers can respect the pedestrians as well,” he said.

Meanwhile, Honiara City Mayor, Edward Siapu acknowledged and commended SIPA for the pedestrian crossing.

“Solomon Ports funding and building this pedestrian crossing is a living testimony and a shining example of its commitment to support the national government and communities.

I see this as an achievement for Solomon Ports corporate and social responsibility, that Solomon Ports is not driven to achieve financial profit only, but also social profit.”

As part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Solomon Ports will also be providing state of the art color lights system for Honiara City.

CEO Kotelewala confirms, they are now working with HCC and MID for its implementation.

SIPA will also be providing other pedestrian crossings in parts of the city.

ENDS//