MID condemns deliberate damage to newly installed road signs along Henderson-Alligator Road and urges public protection.
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), through the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP), has strongly condemned the deliberate damage to newly installed road signs and road furniture along the Henderson to Alligator Road.
Two newly installed road signs were initially found damaged, while a subsequent site inspection identified damage to three additional road furniture items, comprising two road signs and one guide post. Preliminary findings indicate that four of the five cases were likely intentional, while one appears to have resulted from accidental vehicle contact.
The inspection found signs with broken bases, puncture marks and impact damage. One sign appeared to have been repeatedly pushed until the post broke, while others showed damage consistent with being struck with a sharp metal object or hit by a rock. One sign showed paint transfer and contact marks, indicating that it was likely sideswiped by a vehicle.
MID Permanent Secretary Mike Qaqara strongly condemned the damage, stressing that road signs and road furniture are essential road safety infrastructure and must not be treated as ordinary roadside structures.
“It is extremely disappointing to see newly installed road signs being deliberately damaged. These signs are installed for the safety of everyone using our roads. When someone deliberately destroys a road sign or road furniture, they are not only damaging Government property; they are putting the lives and safety of other road users at risk,” Mr. Qaqara said.
He said the Government is investing significant public resources to improve the country’s road network and urged communities and road users to take responsibility for protecting these investments.
These roads and road safety facilities belong to all of us. We cannot continue spending public money replacing infrastructure that has only recently been installed because of irresponsible behaviour. I urge anyone who sees people deliberately damaging public infrastructure to report it to the police or MID, he said.
The damaged road signs form part of the road safety infrastructure installed under the upgraded road network through the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP), supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Solomon Islands Government. The project is aimed at improving road connectivity, safety and resilience, while providing safer and more efficient movement for communities and road users.
MID said the damage can compromise the durability, visibility and effectiveness of permanent road signs, while the damaged guide post can no longer effectively serve its intended purpose and will require replacement.
MID is appealing to all road users and members of the public to respect and protect road signs, guide posts and other road furniture. These facilities are critical to maintaining a safe and orderly road network and protecting the safety of motorists, pedestrians and other road users.
MID will continue to monitor the upgraded road network and document cases of damage and will also work with the relevant authorities to pursue appropriate action where deliberate destruction of public infrastructure is identified. Persons found responsible will be dealt with accordingly.
MID PRESS RELEASE
