The Member of Parliament for Small Malaita Constituency,
Honourable Rick Hou, officially handed over the Niu Ples
Water Supply Project to the community on 27th June
2026.
Funded through the Constituency Development
Funds (CDF) program, the project cost over $300,000.00 and
aimed to improve access to safe and reliable water for
households.
The project included construction of a
water catchment dam, installation of pipelines, building of
a storage tank base, setting up of a water storage system,
and the establishment of community standpipes.
During
the handover ceremony, Hon. Rick Hou emphasized that access
to clean water is a basic necessity and an important
foundation for improving health, sanitation, and the overall
well-being of rural communities.
“This project
reflects our commitment to enhancing essential services.
Clean and reliable water will reduce the burden on families,
improve public health, and foster community development,”
he stated.
Hon. Hou acknowledged the efforts of the
contractor, project committee, community leaders,
landowners, church leaders, and residents who contributed to
the project’s successful completion.
He encouraged the
community to take ownership of the facility by ensuring
proper management and maintenance of the system to serve
future generations.
On behalf of the Niu Ples
community, the Water Supply Project Chairman Shadrach Holo
expressed gratitude to Hon. Rick Hou and the Small Malaita
Constituency Office for addressing a critical development
need.
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He commended Hon. Hou for making the project a
reality, noting that it marks a historic milestone as the
first reliable and safe water supply since the village’s
establishment.
“Historically, families relied on
streams and natural water sources, often traveling long
distances to collect water.
“The new water system
will greatly improve health, hygiene, and daily life, and
the community is committed to maintaining it for future
generations,” he added.
Constituency Development
Officer (CDO) Terry Brown highlighted that the successful
completion of the project demonstrates the power of
collaboration between the government, the Small Malaita
Constituency Office, and the community.
He noted that
it is part of ongoing efforts of the constituency office to
improve rural infrastructure and basic services across the
constituency.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of
the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), which administered
the CDF, congratulated Small Malaita Constituency on this
achievement.
He expressed satisfaction that the
constituency office utilized its CDF allocation for such
livelihood projects and reaffirmed the government’s
commitment to supporting rural development.
“So,
access to reliable, clean, and safe water for drinking,
cooking, and sanitation is vital. Projects like this will
undoubtedly transform lives,” he stated.
PS
Misite’e also underscored the importance of collaboration
between the government, MRD, constituency office, and
communities for project success.
“We all know that
water is essential for life. Access to clean and safe water
is a key sustainable development goal that the government,
through MRD, is committed to achieving for rural
communities,” he emphasized.
MRD looks forward to
working closely with SMC and the other constituencies to
deliver meaningful projects that improve rural
livelihoods.
CDF is part of the Solomon Islands
Government’s (SIG) Constituency Development Program,
administered by MRD and implemented across 50 constituencies
to enhance livelihoods.
The Ministry vision aims to
empower Solomon Islanders toward self-sufficiency, improved
living standards, and sustainable
development.
