FOUELE WATER SUPPLY RESTORED UNDER SMALL MALAITA CONSTITUENCY CDF IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES

30/07/2026

A ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Water Supply Project Committee Chairman Barnabas Ouou from the left, Honourable Rick Hou, and Chief Willie Filei.

FOUELE WATER SUPPLY RESTORED UNDER SMALL MALAITA CONSTITUENCY CDF IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES

The CDF-rehabilitated Fouele Water Supply Project in Small Malaita Constituency (SMC) now once more improves the lives of villagers by restoring access to clean and safe water at their doorsteps.

The Fouele Water Supply Project was built in 2012 and has since experienced issues such as leakages and broken pipes, resulting in low water pressure and unreliable supply to the communities and homes.

For the past five years, due to the deteriorated condition of the water supply, villagers have sometimes been forced to fetch water from nearby small streams, which are unsafe. The distance poses security concerns for women, young girls, and children.

Dubbed a ‘spring of life’ for about 1,000 people, the SMC office, stepped in and provided support through the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) under its 2025 allocation. This is part of the constituency’s ongoing commitment to improving essential services for rural communities.

The rehabilitation work was a partnership between the constituency office and the communities. The CDF covered hardware materials worth $145,000.00, while the communities provided labour.

The celebration marking the project’s success was held early this month, on July 1^st, 2026, where the Member of Parliament for the Constituency Honourable Rick Hou, participated in the handover- celebration with the communities.

This is yet another success story of the CDF program and a testament to the constituency’s efforts to improve on clean water accessibility and community health in rural Malaita.

Honourable Minister Hou stated that the rehabilitation of the Fouele Water Supply demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring rural communities have access to reliable basic services while supporting community development initiatives.

“The rehabilitation of the Fouele Water Supply will serve not only the people of Fouele and Fanalei communities but also the many surrounding communities within the catchment area who regularly access the village,” he said.

Honourable Rick Hou turns on one of the community standpipes.

MP Hou added that the water supply will serve travellers, visitors, and members of neighbouring communities passing through Fouele, making it an important community service for the wider region.

“This water supply is more than just a project for Fanalei and Fouele communities. It is an investment that will benefit everyone who comes to this community, whether they are from neighbouring villages, traveling through the area, or attending important events such as government gatherings, cultural events, and church gatherings. The successful hosting of the Southern Malaita and Sikaiana Diocesan Synod has shown how essential this water supply is in supporting large community gatherings.

“I encourage everyone to value this facility, take ownership of it, and work together to ensure it continues serving our people for many years to come,” Hon Minister emphasized.

Chairman of the Fouele Water Supply Committee, Barnabas Ouou, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Hon. Rick Hou and the Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) for funding the rehabilitation project.

He said the restoration of the water supply came at a very important time, as Fouele Village was preparing to host the Synod of the Diocese of Southern Malaita and Sikaiana.

He noted that the availability of a reliable water supply was essential for the successful hosting of the Synod, which welcomed clergy, church leaders, and delegates from across the Diocese.

“Without the rehabilitation of the water system, the village would have faced significant challenges in meeting the needs of the many visitors attending the important church gathering,” he said on behalf of the communities.

John Misite’e, the Permanent Secretary for Rural Development, which administers the CDF Program, congratulated SMC and the communities for their collaborative efforts and the milestone achievement.

PS Misite’e acknowledged the leadership of Honourable Minister and MP for Small Malaita Rick Hou, noting that such outcomes are a culmination of commitment and good leadership.

He also praised the constituency officers for this successful initiative.

“This is the kind of funding approach our community needs. CDF is a straightforward initiative aimed at supporting our rural people to become development partners,” he stated.

PS Misite’e expressed satisfaction that SMC utilized its CDF allocation for livelihood projects and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting rural development.

“Access to reliable, clean, and safe water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation is vital. It improves security for women and girls not having to travel distances to fetch water, community health especially the young children and people with special needs in our rural communities. Just by using clean water to washing hands and for cooking prevents prevalence of diarrhoea and other diseases associated with poor hygiene and sanitation. Projects like this will certainly transform lives,” PS Misite’e asserted.

Women, children, young girls, and families can now access clean and safe water at their doorsteps rather than walking long distances to fetch it from nearby streams.

PS Misite’e also pointed out the importance of collaboration between the government through the MRD, the constituency office, and communities which led to the project success.

PS Misite’e furthermore stated that such projects and its success contribute to achieving our targets for national development objectives in poverty alleviation including the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 on accessing clean water and sanitation.

Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Terry Brown Honimae attested that community leaders, church leaders, women, youth, children, and residents attending the ceremony welcomed the completion of the project, describing it as a significant investment in the health, dignity, and development of Fouele and Fanalei communities.

Mr. Honimae said the Fouele Rehabilitation Project is one of several community infrastructure projects delivered under the constituency’s development program through CDF, reflecting the ongoing commitment to improving basic services and supporting sustainable rural development across the constituency.

He also expressed gratitude to the national government through MRD and Honourable Minister Hou for their unwavering support of the Constituency Development Program, which funds various community initiatives nationwide.

CDF is the financing component of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) Constituency Development Program, a national program of the government, administered by MRD and implemented across 50 constituencies to improve the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders. The Ministry of Rural Development’s vision is to empower all Solomon Islanders for self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development.

Excited community members with their Member of Parliament Hon. Rick Hou and constituency officers during the handover program.

Hon. Rick Hou delivers his remarks.

Some of the community members who attended the handover program.

Some of the community members during the handover program.

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– MRD Press