Work on East Malaita mini-hospital commences

Construction work on the East Malaita Constituency (EMC) modern style mini-hospital has commenced after building materials for the project were delivered onsite on Friday (19 August 2022).

Member of Parliament for East Malaita Constituency Hon. Manasseh Maelanga who is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) made the declaration as he officiated the unloading of project materials from MV Zaraly at the Atori wharf.

A good number of constituents including paramount chiefs, community respected leaders, women, youth, children and contractor representatives witnessed the significant event this morning with delight.

A former diplomatic partner should have funded the project but due to the country’s diplomatic switch in 2019 to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) it delayed its progress until the EMC office reached out to PRC for support.

PRC is providing building materials and funding towards the development of the hospital project which when completed and operational will serve the people of the Eastern Region of Malaita as far as East Fataleka to East Kwaio and even people from East Are’are.

In his brief remark during the unloading of project materials, Hon. Maelanga acknowledged his people for their continuous cooperation and support especially towards such livelihood projects that will help their lives.

“Getting such projects together is not easy but through our togetherness we can achieve our vision and greater things that will help our livelihood.”

Maelanga then thanked PRC for their continuous support towards the government development programmes and policies and particularly support towards the development of the mini-hospital project.

He further stated that his constituency will continue to work in partnership with PRC and other donor partners to help develop his constituency now and into the future.

“I further call on other constituencies in the Solomon Islands to embrace this development partnership with PRC and other donor partners as we strive to improve the lives of our people,” Hon. Maelanga said.

Chief Arnon Ketei who is the Chairman of the Ward Development Committee (WDC) for Ward 15 thanked the government and PRC for such livelihood support.

He said this is a dream come true for Eastern Region.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) Dr. Samson Viulu thanked Landowning groups in East Malaita for their support and for allowing their land to accommodate such a livelihood project and development that will help constituents for many years to come. 

He also congratulated the leadership of DPM Maelanga for delivering such lifesaving projects through the EMC office for seeking assistance from PRC and also acknowledged PRC for their funding support towards the development of the hospital project and other livelihood projects in EMC and other constituencies in other provinces.

“We can only achieve development if we work together and support each other,” Dr Viulu added.

He also thanked the Malaita Provincial Government for their continuous support towards development within Malaita Province.

The Permanent Secretary then called on constituents of EMC to continue to support the work of their MP and his constituency office officials. 

Other projects that were delivered include Water, Sanitation and Hygiene project (WASH) which include 69 water tanks of varied capacity (1000-3000litres) also funded by PRC.

Others are Boats under the fishery project, machineries for construction of new feeder roads in East Malaita and maintenance work, Gravels, bricks, steel rods, fuel drums and other materials for the mini hospital, Machineries to construct the mini hospital.

ENDS///

MRD Media