Building Capacity for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: MID’s Asset Management Initiative Kicks Off

Through this project, state-of-the-art engineering and asset management equipment was acquired to significantly boost the capacity of the Ministry’s Asset Management Unit (AMU).

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), under the World Bank-financed Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2), has kicked off its Asset Management Training Program, the first initiative of its kind under the ongoing Climate Resilient Road Asset Management Improvement Project. Led by the Finnish Overseas Consultants (FinnOC), this training aims to build the capacity of the ministry’s Transport Infrastructure Management Services Division (TIMSD) Asset Management Unit (AMU) to effectively manage the country’s infrastructure assets—roads, bridges, culverts, and wharves—ensuring sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change and natural phenomena.

This programme aligns with the strategic objectives outlined in the recently endorsed Inception Report (March 24, 2026), developed by FinnOC to modernise and institutionalise asset management practices within the construction industry.

The first set of training was successfully conducted early this month (4th June) and designed to equip TIMSD staff with essential skills in asset surveys, data collection, and management. Conducted at the divisions’ conference room, the training segments comprised classroom and on-the-job components, facilitating both theoretical understanding and practical application.

The next series of trainings on database design, structuring, population techniques, developing algorithms, adjusting cost estimates, and preparing multi-year asset management plans utilising the Solomon Islands Transport Asset Management System (SITAMS) will be conducted in the coming months.

There will be extended classroom sessions to facilitate hands-on practice in data analysis and planning, enabling the young engineers and surveyors to confidently utilise the new tools.

Through this project, state-of-the-art engineering and asset management equipment were acquired to significantly boost the capacity of the Ministry’s Asset Management Unit (AMU). This investment will enhance their crucial role in safeguarding national infrastructure and executing critical maintenance schedules across our islands.

These training activities signify a crucial step toward transforming MID’s asset management practices into a more proactive, data-driven process. These trainings will be documented in a training report, capturing activities, outcomes, and future capacity development pathways.

The Ministry remains committed to empowering its personnel with the skills necessary to ensure resilient infrastructure development and maintenance.

FinnOC Ltd from Finland is a global consultancy firm and will be engaged for 24 months.

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