Incumbent SW CEO Ian Gooden (first on left), and the SW Executive Management team. Mr Gooden has been the longest serving CEO Solomon Water has ever had, with 8 years’ service. His term ends in July this year.
Solomon Water is starting the recruitment process to find a new CEO. Incumbent CEO, Ian Gooden’s contract is coming to an end and the SOE is looking for someone to replace him. Time is allowed for a proper handover before Mr Gooden finishes at the end of July.
Board Chairman for Solomon Water, Mr Donald Marahare said “Mr Gooden has been the longest serving CEO Solomon Water has ever had, with 8 years’ service. During this time he has developed a 30 year Strategic Plan and then began implementing the first 5 years action plan. Mr Gooden has negotiated more than USD 100 m in funds from various donors and there is currently more than USD 40 m of works under construction”.
Solomon Water still needs more funding for major upgrades to our existing infrastructure and also to extend operations to Gizo and Munda; funds for these are currently under negotiation.
“Our service delivery and reputation has improved significantly and Solomon Water now has a strong and committed staff. We thank Mr Gooden for his years of hard work” said Mr Marahare.
Mr Gooden has also been a Board director, and for the past 2 years, Chairman of the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association, the peak body for all water utilities across the Pacific.
The search for a new CEO will be conducted internationally to ensure we get the best possible candidates to take Solomon Water into the next phase of its development, with much construction works and significant upgrades to all our infrastructure.
Solomon Water remains committed to its vision to provide “Safe water for a healthy nation” and continues to work towards improving our services to our customers.
Media contact:
Ruth Ramoifuila, Communications and Corporate Support Coordinator
Phone: 44662 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Solomon Water has expressed deep concern over the recent news article in the Island Sun newspaper reporting the Solomon Islands Post Conflict Rehabilitation and Restoration Association's (SIPCRRA) intention to close Kongulai, the main water source for Honiara City.
The Kongulai water source supplies water to 40 percent of Honiara, which includes the whole of west Honiara, and parts of central and east Honiara. More importantly, due to its elevated location, Kongulai plays a critical role in pressurizing 60 percent of the supply network.
Solomon Water Chairman Donald Marahare is concerned Solomon Water is being used for leverage on a matter unrelated to the operation of the water utility and the water supply service it provides to its customers in Honiara. “The potential forced closure of the Kongulai water source would result in severe consequences for Solomon Water, including financial loss and reputational damage. It would also cause serious inconvenience and health risks to Honiara residents due to potential loss of water supply” he says.
“I urge SIPCRRA to engage with the Government and not use the people of Honiara for leverage. I also ask the Government for support and resolution of longstanding landowner issues in the Kongulai and Kovi areas”.
Loss of water supply to the city can result in damage to the pipes and customer fittings, significant economic impacts due to business houses and government offices being forced to close and health and social effects on schools and other institutions, including the hospital.
Solomon Water remains committed to its vision to provide “Safe water for a healthy nation” and continues to work towards improving our services to our customers as well as working with Government and Landowners to resolve long standing issues with many of our water sources.
Media contact:
Ruth Ramoifuila, Communications and Corporate Support Coordinator
Phone: 44662 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Solomon Water is proud to participate in this year’s International Women's Day parade to showcase its support for gender equality and the empowerment of women in Solomon Islands.
The theme of this year's International Women's Day parade is "DiGiAll: Celebrating, Learning, Empowering and Protecting Women of Solomon Islands through Technology - Achieving gender equality while innovating."
“We are delighted to participate in this year’s International Women's Day parade and showcase our female staff who play a significant role in the day-to-day operations of Solomon Water and our vision of “Safe water for a healthy nation”,” said Acting CEO Unni Kesavan. “Solomon Water recognizes the importance of gender equality and the need to promote diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We believe that by empowering and supporting our female staff, we are creating a more equitable and sustainable future for the Solomon Islands.”
In 2017, Solomon Water subscribed to the Waka Mere Commitment to Action to improve employment opportunities for women in Solomon Islands. This included committing to promoting opportunities for women in non-traditional jobs and SW continues with this philosophy enshrined in its recruitment and other business practices.
As of February this year, Solomon Water has a total of 53 women staff in various technical, engineering and leadership roles and divisions, including the Head of Corporate Services.
Media contact:
Ruth Ramoifuila, Communications and Corporate Support Coordinator
Phone: 44662 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Before the parade this morning at the Honiara City Council car park, some of Solomon Water's female staff ready for the march.After the parade and under the 2023 IWD theme of "DiGiAll: Celebrating, Learning, Empowering and Protecting Women of Solomon Islands through Technology - Achieving gender equality while innovating."
Solomon Water is pleased to announce it is taking part in the Safe and Green Games Campaign, a national cleanup campaign in Honiara City. The campaign, which takes place over three days, aims to ensure that the city is clean and green before the start of the 2023 Pacific Games in November.
As a responsible state owned enterprise, Solomon Water is committed to supporting efforts that promote a clean and sustainable environment. We are proud to join hands with all government ministries and agencies, as well as other business houses, in this national cleanup campaign. By participating in this campaign, we hope to contribute to the overall objective of making Honiara City a cleaner and more pleasant place to live, work, and visit.
Acting Solomon Water CEO Unni Kesavan said "As a water utility SOE, we recognize the critical importance of a clean and sustainable environment to our operations. We are committed to doing our part to protect the environment and support sustainable development in Honiara City. By participating in this national cleanup campaign, we hope to contribute to the overall objective of making Honiara City a cleaner and greener place and we are encouraging all Solomon Water staff to participate and make a positive impact on our city."
"We believe that the Safe and Green Games Campaign is a timely and important initiative that will help to promote a culture of environmental stewardship and civic responsibility in our city," the Acting CEO said. "We are proud to join hands with other stakeholders in this important effort and look forward to working together to make Honiara City a better place for all."
The Safe and Green Games Campaign is a joint initiative of the Solomon Islands Government, the Honiara City Council, and other stakeholders, including the private sector and donor partners. The campaign takes place over Friday 3 March to Sunday 5 March, and will involve a range of activities, including a public parade, street and community clean-ups, and a combined church service.
Media contact:
Ruth Ramoifuila, Communications and Corporate Support Coordinator
Phone: 44662 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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At the SW Mataniko compound, Solomon Water staff who volunteered to be part of the 2023 Pacific Games Safe and Green Campaign parade and launch program.Solomon Water staff on the parade trail to Lawson Tama for the 2023 Pacific Games Safe and Green Campaign launch this morning.
Solomon Water (SW) today gathered with officials from the Solomon Islands Government, the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, the wider business community and Kongulai residents for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the construction of SW’s new water treatment plant. The plant, which will be located at Solomon Water’s Kongulai Pumping Station, is expected to greatly improve the quality and reliability of the Honiara's water supply.
Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Daniel Rove led the inauguration ceremony and was joined by ADB Solomon Islands Country Office Unit Head Elmar Elbling, World Bank Acting Resident Representative for Solomon Islands Lodewijk Smets, other development partners and SW stakeholders.
"This is a significant milestone for Solomon Water and for the residents of Honiara," said Mr. Gooden, Chief Executive for Solomon Water. "We are thrilled to be able to soon provide Honiara residents with clean, safe water that they can trust. This new water treatment plant will be a valuable asset for Honiara for many years to come."
“The project will provide better access to safe water and improve sanitation in urban areas and help the government and Solomon Water address project environmental and social safeguard issues,” said Mr. Elbling. “The project will prioritize best practices for water utility institutional strengthening.”
“This groundbreaking is an important step towards safer, more reliable water for families and businesses across Honiara. We are pleased to be supporting the government and Solomon Water in this important work that will ultimately improve the health and quality of life of communities in Solomon Islands,” said Annette Leith, World Bank Resident Representative for Solomon Islands.
The World Bank and ADB is funding the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (UWSSSP) with the development objectives to increase access and quality of water supply and quality of sanitation services in Solomon Water service areas, and to improve the operational performance of Solomon water. A key UWSSSP development is the SBD130m Kongulai Water Treatment Plant Project.
The new facility will have the capacity to treat 15 megalitres (million litres) of water per day through the use of clarifiers and filtration. The new facility will also have raw and treated water pump stations, pipe bridges, sludge ponds and site civil works and a new rising main that will connect it with Solomon Water’s Tasahe reservoirs. These advanced treatment technologies and equipment will ensure that the water supplied to residents and businesses meets or exceeds national and international drinking water standards.
We’re with you in improving value, improving services and improving for the future - all aimed at delivering our vision of “Safe water for a healthy nation”.
International contractor, REAN PCS Joint Venture, was awarded the Kongulai Water Treatment Plant Project contract in May last year.
Media contact:
Ruth Ramoifuila, Communications and Corporate Support Coordinator
Phone: 44662 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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The Kongulai Water Treatment Plant groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of the plant’s construction phase. Breaking ground today (from left to right), World Bank Acting Resident Representative for Solomon Islands Lodewijk Smets, ADB Solomon Islands Country Office Unit Head Elmar Elbling, MMERE Under Secretary Daniel Rove, Guadalcanal Province Premier Francis Sade, Solomon Water Board of Director Gloria Hong, Solomon Water CEO Ian Gooden, MNPDC Permanent Secretary Susan Sulu, New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Schwass.
