Honiara, Solomon Islands – 29 May 2025 – A significant milestone has been achieved in the drive toward clean and sustainable water access for rural communities, with the successful completion of deep borehole drilling works for the villages of Managikiki and Horohotu 2, under Phase 2 of the Community Benefit Sharing Project (CBSP 2).
The drilling works were carried out by local contractor Pacific Strata Drilling & Water Engineering Services, as part of a broader SBD 2.7 million investment. This investment aims to develop three modern water supply systems across Bahomea Ward, including riverside communities such as Namopila, Habusi, and others.
At Managikiki, drilling reached a depth of 140 metres, enabling a system that will serve 56 households. In Horohotu 2, a borehole was completed at 60 metres depth, designed to support 44 households with a combined population of 359 people. The third water system, currently in progress, will be gravity-fed.
Once fully completed, the project will supply safe, clean water to over 1,000 people (approximately 200 households), meeting an estimated community demand of more than 120,000 litres per day.
“This project is not just about infrastructure—it’s about improving health, reducing the time and burden of collecting water, and building resilience in our communities,” said Mr. Francis Kapini, Project Manager of CBSP 2. “We’re proud to deliver reliable water access to some of the most remote villages in the Tina area.”
Caption: Children enjoying the water which they now have access to 24/7.
The Tina River Hydropower Development Project is led by the Solomon Islands Government, with financing and support from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Asian Development Bank, the Government of Australia, the Green Climate Fund, Korea EX-IM Economic Development Cooperation Fund, and the World Bank.
Media Inquiries:
Jeanine Gadepeta
Communications Officer, Tina Hydropower Development Project
📞 +677 25133
📧 jeanine.gadepeta@tina-hydro.com | Find out more on www.tina-hydro.com, or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube