Steady progress on Rescue Fire Services Station at Honiara International Airport
Construction of the new Rescue Fire Services Station at Honiara International Airport is advancing steadily, marking a major milestone in the Solomon Islands’ efforts to strengthen aviation safety and emergency response capabilities.
Funded by the World Bank under the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2), the work is being implemented by the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA), with construction works delivered by China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) and supervised by Egis.
To date, the project has reached 70 percent physical completion. Recent accomplishments include the completion of foundation works, under-slab blocks, floor slab, columns, staircase and first landing, lintel beams above windows and doors, and reinforced concrete walls.
The contractor continues to make strong progress on the superstructure, with most key structural components nearing completion.
Masonry block wall construction and core-filling are underway, together with the formwork of the staircase second landings and the installation of the steel beam at the apparatus bay.
Concrete quality monitoring is ongoing through routine compressive strength testing.
The next phase of construction will focus on roofing, installation of the building services, windows and doors, finishing works, and landscaping.
MCA Permanent Secretary, Alwyn Danitofea, stated that “The Rescue Fire Services Station is a vital investment for strengthening aviation safety in Solomon Islands. We are pleased with the current pace and quality of work and appreciate the strong collaboration between SIRAP2 Project Support Team, the contractor, the supervision consultant, and the World Bank. Once completed, this facility will significantly enhance emergency response capability at Honiara International Airport and contribute to safer, more reliable and climate-resilient air travel for our people.”
Apart from the Rescue Fire Services Station, SIRAP2 is delivering a range of major infrastructure investments across the country.
These include the construction of Aviation Complex Building, significant improvements to Noro Roads, construction of four new bridges in Malaita, upgrades to Honiara and Munda Airports and Santa Cruz and Suavanao Airfields, installation of air navigation systems in Makira-Ulawa and Temotu Provinces, maintenance of regional airports, rehabilitation of 21 kilometers of East Road between Baratolo and Atori, and the sealing of 12 kilometers of North Road between Auki Gwaunaru’u Airfield Junction and Kwaisuliniu Road Junction.
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SIRAP2 statement