THREE communities in Ward Five and Six at Rannogah Island, Western Province, have successfully celebrated the achievement of No Open Defecation (NOD) status last week.
This communities of Pidaka and Nyami, commonly known as Vonga, celebrated their NOD status on Tuesday, August 27, while Tirobuni Community held its celebration on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
The NOD celebration was officially attended by the Provincial Health Minister for the Western Provincial Government (WPG) and Provincial Member for Kusaghe Ward 14, Mr. Kenneth George; Provincial Member for Central Rannogah Ward 5, Raynic Sigoto; Chief Health Inspector for the WPG, Rendy Solomon; ADRA Solomon Islands Country Director, Leyn Gantare; Senior Culture Officer for the Western Tourism Office, Kenneth Roga; UNICEF Provincial Coordinator for Western Province, Mr. Alfred Junior Rauka; and media representatives.
UNICEF Provincial Coordinator for Western Province, Mr Alfred Junior Rauka officially declared these communities as NOD.
The celebration also saw the participation of ADRA staff in the Western Province, along with chiefs, community leaders, church leaders, project beneficiaries, and one of the Rannogah Island famous musicians, Chris Hamson, who provided entertainment during the event.
The NOD celebrations mark a significant and historic event for Rannogah Island, commemorating the achievement of these communities in improving sanitation.
Minister of Health for the Westen Provincial Government Provincial Member for Kusaghe Ward 14, Mr. Kenneth George, who was invited to be part of the NOD celebration commended those involved for the NOD celebration for these communities.
‘’As Minister of Health for WPG,i would like to acknowledge ADRA ,UNICEF and donors through support of our WPG health department for making this event successful’’
‘’This a history event for our province and our current executive were very happy indeed to have this program implemented here in our province. Onhalf of our Provincial Government i would like to thank UNICEF and ADRA including donor to successfully implement this sanitation program for our people in Western Province, ’Mr Geoge said.
Director of ADRA Solomon Islands, Leyn Gantare also extend his acknowledgement to communities who were declared NOD.
“I would like to thank these communities who were declared NOD for the effort and dedication rendered towards achieving this NOD celebration.’
‘’On behalf of ADRA SI, I acknowledged these community and wishing you all the best as your community were now declared as NOD,’’Mr Gantare said.
Meanwhile few more communities in these islands will be declared NOD in the coming weeks.
The Solomon Islands National Sanitation Sustainability Plan (NSSP) project Phase 2 was currently implemented by ADRA Solomon Islands across three Islands in Western Province namely Rannogah,Vela and Kolobanagara Islands..