Honiara has one of the highest urban growth rates in the region, and globally. Urban areas are growing at nearly twice the rate of the nation, approximately 4.7% every year— that’s a doubling of the urban population almost every 16 years. Some peri-urban areas (settlements on the outskirts of Honiara) are growing at twice this rate, or more, according to the 2009 Solomon Islands census.

Urban land and housing pressures are mounting and need locally generated responses that create greater affordability, certainty and equity. Urban population growth will continue, and that means people will need homes, land and services. All are in short supply in Honiara.

Partnerships between government, NGOs and civil society groups are important for the successful expansion of Honiara and the surrounding region. One example of such a partnership is between Live & Learn, the Honiara City Council and two community-based sanitation enterprises in the peri-urban settlements of Namoliki and Henderson. Both of these areas are experiencing rapid growth, and face a complete lack of government sanitation services. The community-based sanitation enterprises are local small businesses who are providing affordable toilet options for families.

Women are involved in the leadership of both sanitation enterprises, with two women providing leadership and finance reporting for Namoliki Sanitation Enterprise, and another woman providing finance reporting for Henderson Sanitation Enterprise. Both enterprises are selling toilets and continuing to build their confidence in marketing, design and construction.

Live & Learn has established a Memorandum of Understanding with Honiara City Council to provide further support to the sanitation enterprises following the conclusion of the project. Honiara City Council has agreed to:

• Supervise and provide overall guidance and technical assistance to the two sanitation enterprises through training, support and on-site mentoring
• Assist in conducting technical field assessment for water quality tests, environmental impact assessment and environmental sanitation in target communities
• Make recommendations and give advice to the top sanitation enterprises on the implementation of sanitation marketing and any other sanitary-related issues
• Allow sanitation products of two sanitation enterprises to be stored at the Honiara City Council Depot for marketing and promotion purposes, and help to promote and connect the two sanitation enterprises with potential customers
• Engage the two sanitation enterprises in the hygiene and sanitation service activities of Honiara City Council, and allow them to participate in toilet construction workshops
• Share customer quotas and allocated 30-40% of the customer orders for sanitation products and services with the two sanitation enterprises as a complementary business partner to help meet sanitation demands
• Integrate services provided by the two sanitation enterprises into Honiara City Council strategic plan for future development and support

Photo: Joanna, Centre Manager Namoliki Sanitation Enterprise