LORD MAYOR EDDIE KASUTEÉ SIAPU DELIVERING HIS SPEECH DURING NATIONAL SPORTS STADIUM PROJECT HANDOVER CEREMONY

Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Damukana Sogavare

Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Maelanga

Ministers of the Crown & Members of Parliament

PRC Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, H.E. Li Ming

Members of the Diplomatic Corp

President of the Pacific Games Council

Guadalcanal Premier Hon. Francis Sade

Government Officials

Distinguished Quests

Ladies & Gentlemen

Good afternoon,

It is an honor and a privilege for me as the Lord Mayor of Honiara City to witness the handover ceremony of the 2023 Pacific Games Stadium.

Indeed, it is such a beautiful infrastructure development project in the city, this sports stadium we are witnessing the handover ceremony today.

Distinguish quests!

Ladies & gentlemen

On behalf of the Honiara City Councilors, the City Clerk, Staff, and residents of Honiara, especially our youths, children, and sports lovers, I am honored to commend and congratulate the national government for its dedication to making sure the 2023 pacific games stadium project was completed on time, which we now have seen today. Once again, big Tagio lo iu nasinol gafman.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for your generosity in funding the project, thank you so much People’s Republic of China. Without your help and support, Honiara City would not have such a gleaming sports stadium like this. Once again thank you so much.

My government and the Honiara City Council fully support the national government, the National Hosting Authority, the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands, and the Games Organizing Committee in preparing and hosting Pacific Games 2023. We look forward to welcoming athletes and their officials to Honiara City, as the host for the 2023 Games.

The Honiara City Council is graciously happy to be involved in the construction of this sports city through the approval and issuance of building permits, inspection permits and the occupancy certificate which will be presented this afternoon. The Council must ensure the safety of people using these facilities so all designs, materials used, and actual construction or building must be certified to be safe and in compliance with national building codes by our Engineers, building inspectors, and environmental health officers.

On this note, I am pleased to confirm that all 7 facilities built under this Sports City project comply with Council building ordinances, regulations, and codes and hence are certified as safe and fit for occupancy or use.

Distinguish quests!

Ladies & gentlemen

Now let me appeal to my good Government and National Hosting Authority (NHA) that whichever body or Ministry will be responsible for managing these facilities to ensure regular and effective upkeep and maintenance.

My City Council is willing and happy to be part of the management of these facilities so that we have regular maintenance and ensure facilities continue to be used by our sporting federations.

All residents of Honiara or visitors to Honiara City. I appeal to all of us to love and take ownership of these modern and beautiful facilities so must keep them clean, beautiful, and safe for the next generation. These facilities are gifts from the government and the people of the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) paid from their tax money so let us love and own them.

With this brief remark, thank you, everyone, for taking your time today to come here to witness the handing-over ceremony that marks one of the most successful infrastructure development projects in the country.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies, and Gentlemen, Thank you very much.

Some photos of the dignitaries attending the handover ceremony.