Source: Government of the Solomon Islands
The Lau-Mbaelelea Constituency office, under the leadership of Honourable Ben Maenu’u, continues to support and implement transformative development initiatives within the constituency.
The latest achievement has resulted in more than 500 residents of the Goulu community in Ward 10 now having access to clean and reliable water right at their doorstep.
This development effectively ends years of hardship, during which villagers had to walk long distances into the bush to collect drinking water from nearby sources.
The community last had access to a functional water supply in the 1980s, funded by the Malaita Provincial Government. However, the water piping system did not extend fully to the community, it only reached halfway, requiring residents to walk a distance to fetch water.
Over time, the system broke down, forcing villagers once again to walk further through the bush tracks to access water from alternative sources.
With the new water supply now reaching the Goulu community doorstep, decades of difficulties in accessing clean and reliable water, dating back to the 1950s have come to an end.
This milestone marks the beginning of a new era for children, women, and girls, who previously had to walk considerable distance and often compromise their security and pose vulnerability to potential abuse and harassments by other people in the process of collecting water.
The project was completed on October 15, bringing significant relief to villagers, including Goulu Primary School.
The Constituency Office funded the project with $250,000 from its 2024 Constituency Development Funds (CDF) allocation, provided by the national government through the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD).
Speaking on behalf of the Goulu community, Chief Sammy Nokea expressed profound gratitude to the leadership of Honourable Ben Maenu’u, his constituency office, and the national government through MRD for recognizing one of their greatest and most urgent needs.
He said, “Since the 1950s, we have struggled for water. In the 1980s, piping stopped halfway, forcing us to walk long distances to fetch water. Honourable Maenu’u has fulfilled his promise by completing our water supply. He is a man of today.
“This project will benefit not only a few constituents but all constituents of Lau-Mbaelelea, regardless of political support. In the past, our prior parliamentary leaders promised to support our water project, but they did not keep or fulfill their promises. So, thank you, Hon. Ben, for your heart for us and for keeping your word,” Chief Nokea shared.
The residents could not hide their joy; they were thrilled just by turning on the taps outside their houses.
“No more long walks through the bush to collect water. This is a huge relief for our women, girls, and children. This water supply initiative saves time and reduces the burden, especially for our women, young girls, and children who are always responsible for collecting water,” one resident stated while expressing the community's relief.
Meanwhile, Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Moses Lugitau said the initiative is part of the Constituency Office’s Development Plan (CDP) and ongoing commitment to supporting community projects like water and sanitation, schools, churches, clinics, as well as other projects for families.
CDO Lugitau, on behalf of the constituency office, expressed profound gratitude to Honourable Maenu’u for his leadership, the Goulu community, constituents, and all stakeholders for their collaborative efforts in accomplishing the project.
He said this milestone marks a significant step forward for community development and improved livelihoods of the people.
Mr. Lugitau affirmed that it is the ongoing commitment of the constituency office under the leadership of Hon. Maenu’u to support initiatives that will benefit every constituent of Lau-Mbaelelea towards building a better future for everyone.
The project aligns well with the national government’s National Development Strategy 2016-2035 and fulfills Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which aims to ensure access to water and sanitation for all.
CDF is a national program of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) administered by MRD and is implemented through the 50 constituencies in the country purposely to improve the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders.
The Ministry of Rural Development’s vision is to ensure all Solomon Islanders are empowered for self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development.