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Seghe in Marovo Lagoon comes back to life this morning – 02nd In July 2024, people from nearby and distant villages gathered to celebrate the opening of the newly upgraded Seghe all-weather airstrip.
Thanks to the Governments of New Zealand, Australia and Solomon Islands for their joint efforts to upgrade the airstrip.
The handover ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele MP, visiting New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, and, representing Australia, the Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, the Honourable Rod Hilton.
In his speech, Prime Minister Manele revealed that completing the upgrading of the Seger runway is one of the 100-day priorities of the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT).
The Prime Minister said six airports have been identified for upgrading as early as 2023, namely Munda, Gizo, Rata, Suavanao and Seger.
“Today, I am very pleased to see that Munda, Gizo, Taro and now Sege airports have all-weather runways in operation, ensuring safer and more reliable flights in our country,” said Prime Minister Manele.
The Prime Minister reiterated that GNUT gives priority to aviation and infrastructure development.
Prime Minister Manele acknowledged New Zealand’s leading role in the aviation upgrade, stressing: “New Zealand’s plan remains committed to nation building, connecting our people, instilling a people-centred development philosophy and providing transformative opportunities for the country’s tourism industry.”
The newly upgraded Seghe Airport. Photo: New Zealand High Commission Solomon Islands.
The Prime Minister further acknowledged that the completion of the runway upgrade at Sege Airport has given strong meaning to the slogan “Go to the West, See the West, Love the West”.
Prime Minister Manele noted the special bond between Western Province and New Zealand and spoke highly of the relationship between the two countries from the missionary days to the Second World War when New Zealand soldiers made great sacrifices.
“We salute them for their contribution to peace,” he said.
While further endorsing the infrastructure upgrading project in Seger, the Prime Minister said, “Such people-centric development will create conditions for economic growth, peace, progress and prosperity of the country”.
Prime Minister Manele added that the development puts Solomon Islands in a better position as the country prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country status by 2027.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged a statement made by New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters in his speech, in which he said the upgraded airstrip in Seger was a gift to the people of the Solomon Islands as the country prepares to celebrate its 46th anniversaryday July 7 Independence Dayday.
“Deputy Prime Minister, as our country’s Independence Day approaches in July,day “This gift to my Government in July has profound significance for my Government, Western Province, Segei and its surrounding communities and the people of Solomon Islands,” Prime Minister Manele stressed.
The Prime Minister thanked the Governments of New Zealand and Australia for their steadfast support and for always standing with the people of Solomon Islands to build a better future.
Prime Minister Manele also commended the project team and contractors for their collaboration and successful completion of the project within a tight time frame.
The Prime Minister called on Seger and the people of Solomon Islands to be proud of this achievement and continue to work together to realize the full potential of the new facility.
“Let us continue to strive for excellence and seize the opportunities of the future,” concluded Prime Minister Manele.
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– OPMC Press Secretariat
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