Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will travel to Lofung, Shortland Islands on Wednesday this week for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Border and Patrol Boat Outpost.
The Prime Minister will officiate at the ceremony as the official guest of honor.
A traditional welcome and exchange of gifts will also take place during the ceremony.
The new Border and Patrol Boat Outpost will see the beginning of enhanced border management, one that will incorporate police, maritime, and law enforcement agencies.
The new facility will bring together police, customs and immigration officials in a single location to reinforce the security of Solomon Islands’ western border, and promote peaceful cross-border movements.
Designed for regional conditions, the Outpost will boost Solomon Islands capacity to respond to natural disasters, deliver health programs in the western border area and provide a foundation for social and economic growth in the region.
It will also deliver new facilities to coordinate operations, accommodation, and a wharf capable of supporting RSIPV Taro and Gizo, Solomon Islands’ Guardian-class Patrol Boats, and Australian-gifted fast boats.
The Australian Government is funding the multimillion-dollar Border and Patrol Boat Outpost project, which Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare jointly announced in Honiara on 7 October 2019.
Prime Minister Sogavare will return to Honiara on Thursday this week.
Source: OPMC Media Release