VATUD Constituency procures nine outboard motors through CDF funding to improve transport, fisheries and island travel
document as witness by Constituency Project Officer Nicky Cruz Fenuasoro.
Y.Sato representative flanked by Constituency Project Officer Nicky Cruz Fenuasoro.
The VATUD Constituency, under the leadership of Member of Parliament Freda Rangirei, has procured nine outboard motor (OBM) engines to support emergency response and marine transportation services in the constituency.
The project cost SBD$221,245 and was funded through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) under the VATUD Constituency 2025 CDF budget allocation.
The project includes the following equipment and intended purposes:
- One 75-horsepower engine for Tikopia Island to support emergency transport, including medical and other emergency runs between Lata and Tikopia;
- Four 40-horsepower engines for communities in Vanikoro and Utupua;
- Four 15-horsepower engines to support small fishing projects in Vanikoro and Utupua.
Freda Rangirei received the OBMs from supplier Y. Sato Marine on behalf of beneficiary communities on 18 February 2026.
The engines are now ready for shipment to the constituency along with other CDF-funded project materials and equipment. Rangirei acknowledged the Solomon Islands Government for its continued commitment to the CDF program, which she said has supported development initiatives aimed at improving community livelihoods.
“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,” Rangirei explained.
The project was delivered under the essential services and productive and resource sectors in compliance with the CDF Act 2023.
Funding for the project was part of the Solomon Islands Government’s CDF allocation released in the latter part of the 2025 financial year.
Despite some delays in organizing delivery, the constituency office said it followed the necessary processes and procedures to ensure the project reached communities in VATUD.
“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.”
Rangirei said projects funded under the CDF and the Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP), supported by the People’s Republic of China, would be delivered to the constituency 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 constituents to make use of the projects to improve their livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Constituency Development Officer Justin Tanema expressed appreciation to the government through the Ministry of Rural Development for its continued support to VATUD and other constituencies through the CDF program.
He also acknowledged Freda Rangirei for her leadership and support for constituency development initiatives.
Tanema said the Temotu VATUD Constituency Office would continue working with the Ministry of Rural Development to implement government rural development policies.
The CDF is a national program administered by the Ministry of Rural Development and implemented across the country’s constituencies to support social and economic development.
SOURCE : Ministry of Rural Development
