Honiara - Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry on behalf the businesses houses call on responsible authorities to address overflowing water at Kukum and elsewhere on the highway that have been causing havoc to traffic.

Businesses have raised their concerned to SICCI as persistent heavy rains have exposed the shortcomings of Honiara’s drainage system, causing widespread waterlogging and deteriorating road conditions.

SICCI is aware that the issue puts pressure on the traveling public, commuters and especially businesses to transport their stock because of the flooded roads.

"This is not just an inconvenience—it’s a public safety issue. We need the responsible authorities to take immediate action before the situation worsens”, SICCI says.

SICCI understands that Honiara has long been struggling with inadequate drainage infrastructure. The creeks and drainage are also impacted by garbage dumped in the streams causing the blockage.

Waterlogged streets have created hazardous conditions, with potholes and unstable surfaces making it difficult for vehicles to navigate and pedestrians to walk safely. Ensuring the safety of our general public and business operators is important to enable a safe environment for carrying out business activities. It has become clear that the system is unable to cope with the volume of water, causing major flooding in key areas of the city as the rainy season continues.

SICCI would like to see swift actions and monitoring of our drainage to ensure the water passage are clear, to avoid any disruption to business operations and safety to travelling public.

SICCI look forward to sit-down with responsible authorities to discuss this issue on behalf of its members.