19 Mar 2009

Solomon Islands Government seeks financial help to restore flood damaged highway

8:25 pm on 19 March 2009

The Solomon Islands Government is appealing for financial assistance to rehabilitate the West Guadalcanal highway.

Last month's floods caused extensive damage to parts of the road surface and many bridges and drainage structures along the 50 kilometre long highway between White River and Naro Hill.

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development has contracted two teams to undertake temporary repairs to keep the road open.

But the Government says it does not have the financial resources available to restore the road and bridges to their original state.

It says as a first step, it will be undertaking a comprehensive survey of the flood damage to develop a proposal for its development partners and seek their assistance.