The winning name for the tunnel boring machine brings together Malango language, the Tina River and the communities connected to it.
Betivatu Community High School student Allen Kela has given the tunnel boring machine a name with deep local meaning: ROTIMA. The winning entry, submitted by the Form 3 student, draws each syllable from the landscape, language and communities connected to the Tina River.
RO comes from the Malango words Roro and Roro’o. Roro is a mole cricket that digs tunnels underground—an apt symbol for a machine working beneath the surface. Roro’o describes a sound like water falling from a height, linking the name to the river and the power of moving water.
TI refers to the Tina River, understood as a big river, and to Tina Village—described in the presentation as one of the area’s biggest and oldest villages and an early settlement along the river.
MA comes from Malango, representing Malatoha, Bahomea, Belaha and the surrounding communities connected to the Tina River.
Together, RO + TI + MA becomes ROTIMA—a name that joins earth and water, tradition and technology, and the communities the project aims to serve.
A big congratulations to Betivatu Community High School for winning the TBM Naming Competition and also a huge word of appreciation to all schools who participated, Betivatu Primary School, Areatakiki Primary, and Anva Primary. We look forward to working closely with the schools for more programs soon.
For more information, contact:
Communications Officer: Jeanine Gadepeta email: jeanine.gadepeta@tina-hydro.com
Tina Hydropower development project
+677 25133
About Tina River Hydro Development Project (TRHDP)
The first large scale renewable energy project for the Solomon Islands delivering benefits such as more affordable electricity and improved accessibility to cleaner, more reliable energy sources for communities now and in the future. It is being implemented by the Solomon Island 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.
Find out more on www.tina-hydro.com
A National Project of Solomon Islands | Tina River Hydropower Tina River Hydropower is a National Project of Solomon Islands and has as its objective to provide more affordable and reliable energy options to Honiara. www.tina-hydro.com |
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