Guadalcanal Province yesterday took charge of a new Land Cruiser, open boat, and a 60hp engine for the World Bank Integrated Economic Development and Community Resilience (IEDCR) Project.
Speaking during the brief handover, the Honorable Premier of Guadalcanal, William Atu, expressed his gratitude for the World Bankโs IEDCR project and the assets provided. He assured stakeholders that Guadalcanal Province will continue to push for good governance practices under his leadership.
Also speaking during todayโs brief handover ceremony, Mrs. Ifeta Smajic, Senior Social Development Specialist for the World Bank, expressed her gratitude to all the stakeholders, partners, and community members who are contributing to the success of the IEDCR project.
โHaving visited several PCDF sites across the country, especially in remote rural areas, I can attest to the importance of investing in the logistical capacity of provinces to address daily transport challenges. This investment enables project teams to monitor and implement projects across diverse terrains, access and engage with hard-to-reach communities, and continuously build the capacity of Ward Development Committees,โ Mrs. Smajic said.
She added that these investments โreflect the World Bankโs unwavering commitment to supporting Guadalcanal Province in its journey toward sustainable development.โ
Mrs. Smajic then thanked the Provincial Secretary of Guadalcanal, Mr. Maesac Suia, for his support of the IEDCR team and the noticeable improvements in project performance in Guadalcanal Province.
Dr. Derek Futaiasi, the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), also expressed his gratitude to the World Bank for the delivery of the assets.
He said, โThese assets will significantly enhance our project monitoring, assessment, and training capabilities across the 21 wards in Guadalcanal Province.โ
The PS then emphasized the importance of proper management and care of the assets to ensure their longevity and optimal use for the benefit of the communities.
The PS for MPGIS also congratulated Guadalcanal Province for its remarkable progress, having delivered 78 projects at a cost of SBD$42 million under the PCDF. Thirty-one of these projects are ongoing, and nine are funded by the IEDCR project.
The cost of the Land Cruiser is SBD$352,462, and the boat and 60hp engine total SBD$112,362.
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GP Media.
