Overview

Generally most services that may be required for an agency’s immediate program support needs are available.

Up to date technology and training has been imported from Australia and NZ.

HOWEVER IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT IN PAST EMERGENCIES SOME ISSUES HAVE ARISEN WITH THE FOLLOWING SERVICES;

1. Cash

- ATM machines run out of cash, banks may not open and in cash based economy it will be necessary to bring sufficient cash to pay for labour and many other services as required.

            2. Fuel Priority

- To ensure access to limited fuel supplies priority needs to be obtained from Ministry of Infrastructure, Works.

            3. Phone access

- a direct contact may be required with the Telco’s to obtain top-ups for aid workers’  telephones as top up shops may not be open/available.

For more information on company contact details, please see the following link: 2.2.1 Solomon Islands Additional Service Provision Contact List

Accommodation

There is a variety of accommodation available in Honiara and bigger centres such as Gizo.  In smaller towns there are guesthouse rooms available for short and long term stays.Standards vary to suit all reguirements from backpacker to 3 star. Thre are also a number of apartments for longer term rental in Honiara. There is capacity for surge requirements.

Electricity and Power

 Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA) trading, as Solomon Power is a state owned enterprise responsible for generation and distribution of supply and the operation, maintenance and development of assets necessary to achieve this.

Reliable and low cost power generation in Solomon Islands is a major challenge, especially given the heavy reliance on diesel plants for power generation. Blackouts are quite common and while many businesses and Government offices rely on standby generators, many small businesses, homes and most micro-enterprises are unable to afford this option (Official 2015 figures for Honiara state interuptions av. 2/yr at an av.74 minutes/interuption). Prolonged generator downtimes were experienced at Gizo, Auki, Noro/ Munda and Buala

Most households in Solomon Islands do not have access to electricity. By the end of 2015, Solomon Power had a total of 15,471 customers in ten locations; Honiara, Auki, Buala, Gizo, Kirakira, Lata, Malu’u, Munda, Noro and Tulagi with the majority based in the capital Honiara, followed by the three bigger provincial Outstations; Auki, Gizo and Noro. Of the smaller Outstations, Munda has more customers over Buala, Kirakira, Lata, Malu’u and Tulagi. Growth and development is ongoing with an emphisis on renewable sources (hydro and solar)

Prolonged generator downtimes were experienced at Gizo, Auki, Noro/ Munda and Buala

Financial Service Providers

There are major international banking institutions  (Bank of the Pacific and ANZ Bank) in Honiara providing full international banking and financial services. ANZ has also has branches in Auki, Malaita Province and Gizo

ANZ Bank

ANZ is a full service retail and commercial bank that offers comprehensive products and services for individuals as well as businesses. Publicly listed company.

Basic details for the main office should be shown here, additional contact details for local/regional offices and full contact details for the main office to be included in 4.11 Additional Services Contact List.

Bank Of the South Pacific  

Offers Premium Banking Services Centres in all major towns in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Solomon Islands. Publicly listed company.

*Basic details for the main office should be shown here, additional contact details for local/regional offices and full contact details for the main office to be included in 4.11 Additional Services Contact List.

Clearing and Forwarding Agents

There are a number of companies that do freight forwarding, most of which also have warehousing and do customs clearance.  Service is good as there are multi national companies  and they are accustomed to large volumes of imported goods through the port and airport of the Solomon Islands.

Handling Equipment

There are a number of suppliers of handling equipment in Honiara for purchase or rental. Equipment of reasonable standard can be found including mobile cranes (5 – 50 MT), side-lifter trucks and forklifts. There is also a range of road construction heavy equipment available.

There is no ready supply of pallets. Any large quantity required would need to be imported.

Postal and Courier Services

The Solomon Islands Postal Corporation is an SOE formed to carry on any business or activity relating to Postal Services, it is controlled by a board of governors, regulated by the Ministry Of Finance.The servive is reliable and efficient. In addition to the SOE there are a number of international courier companies operating. Whilst service to the smaller outer islands is reliant on coastal vessel transport. service to Honiara is to international efficiency standards

Printing and Publishing

There are a number of printing companies in Honiara providing graphic design and printing services, both digital and offset. 

Taxi Companies

Taxis are plentiful in Gizo, Auki and Honiara but are less available elsewhere.  The standard rate for taxis in Honiara is approximately SBD$ 10   per kilometre (US$ .080) but for longer trips a rate can be negotiated before commencing the journey.  You are also able to hire taxis by the hour at a rate of SBD$ 60 - SBD$ 80 Taxi transport is reliable and safe.

Vehicle Rental

There are a number of car rental organisations in the Solomon Islands providing cars vans and trucks but most only service Guadalcanal.  If you require a car in other parts of the Solomon Islands it is possible to rent taxis with drivers when you arrive or make arrangements with vehicle owners to rent private vehicles.  An organization can reasonably expect to meet their initial needs through renting.

Waste Management and Disposal Services

The Honiara City Council (HCC) Environmental Health Division is responsible for collecting household waste within Honiara City and transporting it to the Ranadi dump It is estimated that 20 to 30 tons

of solid waste is disposed of daily at the dumpsite. Access to the site is unrestricted. A simple drainage system to capture leachate and a small settling and digestion pond has been installed.

Less than half of Honiara City’s population is provided with waste collection services much of the Honiara urban area’s waste is improperly disposed of through open burning and illegal dumping. Poor solid waste management practices were linked to a severe outbreak of dengue fever in Honiara in 2013. There is no segregation of wastes, such as green waste or recyclables, which are mixed into the general waste stream. At least three private recycling companies operate in and around Honiara, however they concentrate exclusively on metals.

Outside of Honiara there is no waste collection or formal waste management . Most waste is therefore improperly disposed of through open burning and illegal dumping

Waste Disposal Non-Hazardous

All waste that is disposed of in a managed manner is carried to Ranadi dumpsite, which is located 6 kilometres from Honiara city, on what was once a wetland sited behind the sand berm that formed the nearby beach. Otherwise waste is improperly disposed of through open burning and illegal dumping.

Waste Disposal Non-Hazardous

There are no enforced, sound procedures and practices for the disposal of hazardous waste. It is dumped to landfill with the general waste stream

Approximately 25,000 households in Honiara have reticulated wastewater disposal. It is pumped raw to sea outfall. Where there is no reticulated system, septic tank waste is disposed of in a similar manner. 

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.