On Friday 20 March 2009, the Minister of Police and National Security led a high level delegation down to the Shortland Islands official opened the new Kulitanai Bay Police Station.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Executive and RAMSI Participating Police Force Advisors also travelled to Kulitanai Bay to participate in the official opening of the new police station.

The Kultanai Bay site is the new home for the RSIPF, Customs, Immigration and Quarantine officials in the Shortland Islands. The station replaces the police post at Korovou.

The site was identified with careful consideration to issues that includes tidal surges, future expansions and security. It is more suitable for important policing and border control functions required in that region due to the close proximity of the Solomon Islands/Papua New Guinea International border.

The project funded by the Solomon Islands Government commenced construction in early 2007 and costs around $3 million dollars to complete.

The agreement to use the land was reached through consultation by the RSIPF with the FAMOA Trust Board and FAMOA Chiefs.

The new site accommodates the new police station, seven houses that are located nearby and an upgraded existing office building that will be jointly used by police, customs, immigration and quarantine.

The location is suitable for maritime vessels that are essential to tackle illegal activities in the Shortland Islands and to provide better policing and security service to communities in the border area.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Edmond Sikua said that the new police station is a significant development in the RSIPF that will assist in providing better policing services to the Shortland Islands communities.

"The new facility in the Shortland Islands where all the law enforcement agencies can work together is extremely important for border security over there and the provision of other law enforcement services."

"The location of the new station is crucial for the effective operation of the different law enforcement agencies that are going to be posted there," Acting Deputy Commissioner Sikua said.

"This station is also a magnificent addition to the Solomon Islands Police Force and will provide better policing services to the people of the Shortland Islands," he said.


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