The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP) commenced in July 2021.
The RAPPP supports RSIPF in six (6) core delivery pillars, one of these focuses on improving operational effectiveness by strengthening foundational enabling services, including fit for purpose Police infrastructure to improve accessibility to policing services for the communities in Solomon Islands (SI).
On Friday 11 March 2022, Commander Paul Osborne handed over to RSIPF the keys to four (4) completed RAPPP infrastructure projects, a total investment of SBD$9.72m as part of the AFP’s Police –to–Police Partnership with RSIPF.
Hon. Anthony Kamutulaka Veke Minister Police, National Security and Correctional Services and Commissioner Mostyn Mangau thanked the AFP for completing the construction projects at Aola, Avu Avu, and Wagina which included new stations and the new police barracks at Tetere.
Minister Veke, congratulated the RAPPP and noted “this is a milestone for the program, the new stations are a good design and will allow the Police to preserve peace and security in the community. He further thanked AFP and RAPPP for their ongoing support to RSIPF and Solomon Islands.”
The construction of the new sites involved RSIPF Provincial Police Commanders (PPC)’s, the Ministry of Infrastructure, RSPIF Property & Infrastructure Division (PID) and AFP Advisors. Commander Paul Osborne highlighted that “This project shows how working together we can deliver sustainable solutions to support RSIPF provide policing services to the Solomon Islands community”
All sites were designed by the Solomon Islands Government Ministry of Infrastructure focusing on sustainable long-term construction to withstand the harsh tropical environment. Local knowledge and experience was critical to the successful completion of the sites. The project supported the local economy and created jobs for Solomon Islanders in the communities by engaging all local SI companies to complete the projects.
The community focused designs include large welcoming walkways for community engagement, and are solid construction using reinforced concrete filled bricks and colorbond iron roofs, the addition of solar power and batteries provides power to the stations for up to 3 days without sunlight and the sites provide accessible fresh water supply for members.
These buildings form part of a larger RAPPP infrastructure plan where the AFP is assisting RSIPF address gaps in foundational enabling services to enhance the RSIPF operational response to the community.
The AFP have committed AUD$106m over the next four (4) years under RAPPP including technical assistance and capability developments across RSIPF with future infrastructure improvements proposed for RSIPF sites at Henderson, Central City Station, Gizo, Auki, Naha, Variana and Kukum.
Source: RSIPF Media