Fredson Tanikoba applies global risk strategies to improve infrastructure in Solomon Islands.

Fredson Tanikoba, Civil Project Engineer and Australia Awards alumnus, is helping to improve the safety efficiency and resilience of infrastructure delivery in Solomon Islands.
Fresh from the prestigious RISK 2025 Conference in Melbourne, Mr Tanikoba returned equipped with new strategies to enhance risk identification and management in local projects.
His participation was proudly supported by the Australian Government’s Australia Awards scholarship program, reflecting Australia’s commitment to investing in emerging Solomon Islands professionals.
Hosted by Engineers Australia and the Risk Engineering Society (RES), the annual conference brought together global experts to explore innovative approaches to risk management, spanning climate resilience, digital transformation, and infrastructure development.
Mr Tanikoba who holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, described the experience as transformative.
“It was a unique opportunity to engage with professionals from around the world, learn about the latest innovations, and explore how global best practices can be applied to infrastructure projects in Solomon Islands,” Mr. Tanikoba said.
A key takeaway for Mr Tanikoba was the need to empower every civil engineering project team member, from frontline staff to executives to actively engage in risk assessment and mitigation.
“This experience not only deepened my knowledge but also contributed to my journey toward Chartered status.
“I plan to apply the concept of adaptive assurance in my current projects, shifting from rigid milestone-based quality checks to a more dynamic, continuous process that can better respond to changing project needs and risks.”
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, commended the value of such international exposure.
“Australia is committed to supporting ongoing professional development that directly contributes to stronger, safer infrastructure and more local jobs in the Solomon Islands, High Commissioner Hilton said.
Mr Tanikoba’s participation highlights how sharing expertise and building local capacity can drive long-term, sustainable development.
Mr Tanikoba is now back at work, applying what he learned to current Reeves International projects in Solomon Islands, bringing global insights home to help transform how infrastructure risks are managed in Solomon Islands, contributing to safer and more resilient development.
SOURCE: AHC PRESS RELEASE