Prime Minister launches Samasodu communication tower
Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele officially launches the Samasodu telecommunication tower.
In a small but historical ceremony at the Solomon Towers Limited (STL) head office in Honiara, Prime Minister Manele had the honour of making the first official text, video and phone calls to distinguished community leaders at Samasodu village in the Hograno, Kia, Katova, Havulei Constituency, Isabel Province.
Principal of Samasodu School Mr. Ansley Navo and Mother’s Union Leader Hellen Basi’idua, the Prime Minister’s first official call recipients, registered their community’s gratitude to the Government, People’s Republic of China and partners for the communication tower.
“Finally, we are connected to the world around us, especially our children and relatives studying or working in Honiara and abroad. It gives us so much comfort, peace of mind and a renewed sense of community unity. The distance barrier is gone”.
In his brief official remarks, Prime Minister Manele thanked the People’s Republic of China for the Samasodu component of the National Telecommunication Project.
“This is a transformation Project. Connectivity bridges national unity. The People’s Republic of China under its Belt and Road Initiative has delivered. It is directly inline with Solomon Islands development endeavours. On behalf of my people, thank you China”, Prime Minister Manele said.
PM Manele, H.E Cai Weiming and officials during the Samasodu tower launch
The People’s Republic of China’s Ambassador to Solomon Islands His Excellency Cai Weiming congratulated Prime Minister Manele and the Government for National Unity and Transformation for the steady progress of the National Telecommunication project.
“This project will provide a better life for Solomon Islands and China is happy to be a part of Solomon Islands development. Benefits will include e-health, e-education, e-payment system, e-commerce and e-governance. The SI-PRC relationship is only Five years old and its achievement is already remarkable”, H.E Weiming stressed.
PRC Ambassador H.E Cai Weiming delivering his remarks
Samasodu is among the 6 Satellite and 9 Microwave sites earmarked for Isabel Province.
It is part of the government funded nationwide telecommunication towers project with resources obtained from Exim Bank with the assistance of the People’s Republic of China.
The project contractor is China Harbor Engineering Company and the supplier of telecommunication equipment is Huawei, a partner of Solomon Telekom.
Managed by the Solomon Tower Limited (State Owned Company) with the contribution of partners including the Ministries of Finance and Treasury and Communication and Aviation, Our Telekom and others, the overall progress to date include the construction of 46 Telecommunication sites for phase 1- Guadalcanal, Central and Isabel Provinces and 4 sites for Phase 2- Western and Choiseul Provinces.
STL plans to erect a total of 60 towers and progress connecting more sites around the country before the end of 2024.
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Prime Minister’s Press Secretariat