SICCI brings traffic issue to responsible authorities

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) has expressed serious concerns on the current traffic issues from the East, Central and Western end of Honiara City.

In recent months, SICCI members have expressed dissatisfaction on the ineffective communication mechanisms concerning construction timelines and updates on periodical road maintenance which contributes to traffic issues.

As the organization responsible for private sector business in Solomon Islands, SICCI is raising its members’ concern to the government on the massive impact that the current traffic issue draws on private businesses in the country.

SICCI is seeking proactive measures with key stakeholders, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), Honiara City Council (HCC) and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

to mitigate the drastic impacts of traffic congestion on the business sector in the country.

Speaking during a round table held on Monday 29th July 2024 at Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara, SICCI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) James Dolarii said private sector business is the engine for economic growth in the country; and ensuring that we have an enabling environment is critical for business growth and expansion.

He said the current traffic issue is imposing great loss to the business sector operations and immediate intervention is required as prolonging the situation will force SICCI members to lose revenue and loss of business.

“Small businesses with tight budget lines have felt the brunt of losing millions in such a slow-moving economy like Solomon Islands.”

“This is due to delays of service deliveries, late arrivals of staff, increased unbearable logistic costs, unbudgeted maintenance and repair costs, disruptions of appointments and meetings schedules.”

Mr Dolarii said SICCI is looking to foster a close partnership, collaborations and coordination with RSIPF, HCC, MID and CCECC and other relevant stakeholders to identify potential strategies going forward to controlling traffic congestions, producing a conducive environment for private sector business operations in the country.

SICCI wishes to acknowledge relevant authorities and other stakeholders for valuable collaborations, so that private sector concerns on traffic congestion don’t fall on deaf ears. 

SICCI looks forward to seeing improvements on traffic flows on East, Central and Western ends of Honiara, ensuring private sector business operate efficiently and profitably.

RSIPF, MID, CCECC, Solomon Water with SICCI secretariats were among the attendees of the Round Table discussion.

ENDS//

SICCI