Member of Parliament for VATUD Honourable Freda Rangirei receives the OBMs from the Y.Sato representative flanked by Constituency Project Officer Nicky Cruz Fenuasoro.
VATUD CONSTITUENCY BOOST COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE CAPABILITIES AND SEA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES UNDER CDF
The VATUD Constituency, under the leadership of the Member of Parliament Honourable Freda Rangirei, has recently procured nine Outboard Motor (OBM) engines aimed at enhancing emergency response capabilities and marine transportation services in VATUD Constituency.
The project cost the government through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) SBD$221,245.00. This was catered for under the VATUD Constituency 2025 CDF budget allocation.
The project details include the following equipment and purpose:
- 1×75 HP for Tikopia Island emergency transport to enable medical and other emergency runs between Lata and Tikopia;
- 4 x 40 HP engines for Vanikoro and Utupua Island communities as recipients;
- 4×15 HP engines for small fishing projects in Vanikoro and Utupua as recipients.
Hon. Freda received the project goods (OBMs) from the supplier, Y.Sato Marine, on behalf of the beneficiary communities on 18 February 2026.
The OBMs are now ready for shipment to the Constituency with other CDF-funded project materials and equipment.
Hon. Rangirei acknowledged the Solomon Islands Government for its continued commitment to the CDF program, which has enabled the procurement of the OBMs and supported development initiatives aimed at improving community livelihoods across the country.
“These OBMs will be distributed to the remote island communities in our constituency to serve our people and communities, providing timely referrals to Lata in health emergencies, supporting fisheries for those involved in small fishing projects, and enhancing transportation services among our island communities,” Hon. Freda explained.
The project was delivered under the essential services and productive and resource sectors in compliance with the CDF Act 2023.
The disbursed project was part of the Solomon Islands Government CDF allocation released in the latter part of the 2025 financial year.
Despite some delays in organizing the delivery of the project goods, the constituency office remained committed and ensured all necessary processes and procedures were followed to deliver services to the communities of VATUD.
This assistance is part of the ongoing efforts and commitment by the VATUD constituency office, under the leadership of Hon. Freda, to improve rural livelihoods in line with the constituency’s development plan.
“The constituency comprises of five main islands; Vanikoro, Anuta, Tikopia, Utupua, and Duff (VATUD). In order to connect ourselves, we rely on boats and ships. Sea transportation remains one of our greatest challenges and most urgent needs.”
Hon. Freda assured her constituents that all projects funded under the CDF and the Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP), supported by the People’s Republic of China, will be delivered to the constituency very soon.
“Once our ship, MV VATUD, is ready, we will ship all the 2025 CDF projects to the constituency for distribution to our communities,” she added.
She urged her constituents to utilize their projects to improve their livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Constituency Development Officer Justin Tanema expressed appreciation to the government through the Ministry of Rural Development for its ongoing support to the VATUD Constituency and other constituencies through the CDF program.
He also acknowledged Honourable Freda for her leadership and steadfast support to the constituency office and development initiatives over the past years.
He stated that the Temotu VATUD Constituency Office will continue working with MRD to implement government policies relating to rural development.
The CDF is a national program of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG). It is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) and implemented across the 50 constituencies to improve the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders, in line with the ministry’s vision: “To empower all Solomon Islanders for self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development.”
Member of Parliament for VATUD Hon. Freda Rangirei signing off the delivery document as witness by Constituency Project Officer Nicky Cruz Fenuasoro.
– MRD Press