The Minister for Infrastructure Development (MID) Hon. Jackson Fiulaua will lead a high level delegation to a ground breaking ceremony to begin the Auki Market and Jetty Project today.
The delegation will include senior government officials and representatives of the Japanese Government.The SB$80 million worth project was funded by the Government of Japan.
Both the Solomon Islands and Japanese Governments signed the project in March 2010.
The project comes in two main components.
The first is the market facility which consists of a main market hall, access passages, shops, butchery and chest freezers and administrative blocks.
Other features will include public toilets, temporary garbage sheds and elevated water tanks.
The other component is the jetty project which consists of a 64m x 12m main jetty, a 49m x 8m access jetty and an 18m x 8m ferry ramp.
Other facilities will include mooring posts, fenders and lightings.
Included in this component is a shore protection for the market site and a combined small fishing vessel mooring facility.
This project if completed will expand the opportunities of the people of Malaita Province to generate cash income and to improve the flow and exchange of goods between them.
"I am proud that this project is proceeding to open up new opportunities for the people of Malaita in terms of trade and improved sea transportation," Minister Fiulaua said.