PM Sogavare admits that reconstruction after tsunami will be a daunting task

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare says the country faces a daunting task rebuilding the infrastructure wrecked by the destructive April 2 earthquake and tsunami in Western and Choiseul provinces.

Mr Sogavare who toured the disaster zone last week says a key part of the reconstruction will be the resiting of Choiseul’s capital, Taro, and parts of Western Province’s main town, Gizo, and settling the displaced people in permanent housing.

The prime minister says his government is working closely with the Asian Development Bank which it has appointed to coordinate the donor support.

"We have had a favourable response from our main development partners, Taiwan and of course Australia are standing by to help us. As well I had personal telephone calls from both prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand with the assurance that they are willing to come forward in the reconstruction and rehabilitation stage, but we are taking the lead ourselves."

Source: RNZI