Minister Fuo’o also and Director of Transport Infrastructure Management Ishmael Alulu were also taken on a short visit to CCECC’s campsite at Aligegeo.
Minister for Infrastructure Development Ricky Fuo’o, during a visit in Auki on Friday (29th August) last week, was impressed with progress made on the China-Aid Road Rehabilitation Project in Auki, Malaita Province.
Accompanied by Auki Langalanga Member of Parliament Hon. Matthew Wale and Director of Transport Infrastructure Management Services Department Ishmael Alulu, the trio was given a tour of ongoing key work sites within Auki town. The visit provided an opportunity for Hon. Wale to raise concerns of his constituents towards road alignment designs and possible adjustments to avoid side effects in the near future.
Contractor for the Auki Road project China Civil Engineering Construction Cooperation (CCECC), Country Manager Huang Pengfei, and senior project managers briefed the minister at the Aligegeo camp, highlighting the achievements to date, outlining challenges faced, and discussing future plans.
Mr. Huang emphasized the project’s commitment to local empowerment through the employment of over 120 local workers since its inception.
“We have prioritized local recruitment and improved working conditions, including integration into banking systems, participation in the National Provident Fund, and hands-on training to build local capacity,” he explained.
Mr. Pengfei highlighted the economic benefits generated by the project for the Auki market community, including increased sales of fresh vegetables, fish stock, and livestock.
“It also supported downstream timber supply chain by purchasing from local milling groups in Auki town.”
Minister Fuo’o, an advocator for local empowerment, expressed his appreciation seeing farmers achieve profitable sales at the end of each day that will improve livelihoods.
Hon. Fuo’o and Hon. Wale assured CCECC management that they will join hands and push to see the completion of this project according to the schedule as it traverses within their constituency jurisdiction (Auki Langalanga and Central Kwara’ae Constituency).
Hon. Fuo’o further pledged that the government, through his ministry, will help address challenges such as the demolition of roadside structures and utility relocations necessary for road expansion to avoid delays.
Director Alulu outlined that the ministry will deploy safeguards personnel and engineers to collaborate closely with the CCECC team. This coordinated effort aims to ensure seamless project implementation and that the designs are carefully customized to suit the specific needs and context of Auki Township.
He said Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) have been finalized with utility providers—Solomon Water, Solomon Power, and Solomon Telekom—to expedite the relocation of lines, facilitating uninterrupted drainage and other infrastructure works during this phase.
Over the past two months, CCECC has focused on river channel improvements, construction of retaining walls, slope protection, shoulder barriers, and ditching. Several of these components are already complete, while others are progressing steadily. These features are critical for enhancing drainage, preventing erosion, and reducing flood risks throughout Auki.
The project encompasses the extensive rehabilitation of the 3.796-kilometer main road from Kilu’ufi Hospital to Kwaibala Bridge, as well as the upgrade of 16 feeder roads within Auki Town.
This project reflects the government’s National Transport Plan 2017-2035.
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