Eastern border outpost works package 1 Handover. refurbishment of the RSIPF and national disaster management office facilities

The Eastern Border Outpost’s first package of works has been completed and handed over for use by the RSIPF and the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) on 10 June 2025.

During celebrations for the Second Appointment Day in Temotu Province, a senior delegation including Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Jimson Tanangada, Commissioner RSIPF, Mostyn Mangau, Member for Temotu Nende, Stephen Kumi, Member for Temotu Pele, James Bonuga, Premier of Temotu, Stanley Tehiahua, Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Wayne Ghemu, Speaker of National Parliament, Patteson Oti, Australian High Commissioner Rod Hilton, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Karen Galokale, and Australian Defence Advisor, Captain Emma Griffiths visited the Eastern Border Outpost site.

Australia’s High Commissioner Rod Hilton took the opportunity to hand over recently completed refurbishment and extension of the RSIPF station and refurbishment of the NDMO in Lata.

Delivered under the Defence Cooperation Program, the handover of the first works package marks a significant milestone in the Eastern Border Outpost project.

Completed in only 8-months since commencement of works in September 2024, the project was delivered by Defence with local contractor Hatanga, and employed 24 local Temotu workers. This delivered a significant uplift for the local workforce and economy.

Australia’s High Commissioner Rod Hilton acknowledged the importance of the Eastern Border Outpost project for the local Temotu population.

“The Eastern Border Outpost is one of the highest priority infrastructure projects in our bilateral relationship and represents our commitment not only to safety, security and economic development of Solomon Islands, but also recognition of the importance of Temotu,” High Commissioner Hilton said.

Australian Defence Advisor, Captain Emma Griffiths said Defence looked forward to the continued partnership and close engagement with the Solomon Islands Government to progress the next stages of the Eastern Border Outpost project.

Future works packages planned in Lata and Vanikoro are subject to land acquisition negotiation between the Solomon Islands Government and respective land owners.

“The Eastern Border Outpost is part of Defence’s ongoing commitment to security and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief infrastructure in Solomon Islands, which is worth almost SBD $1 billion in total,” Captain Griffiths said.

“We are positioned to begin the next phases of works on the Eastern Border Outpost as soon as land acquisition has occurred. This project is more than supporting security operations, it supports the economic development and growth of the Temotu Province.”

She highlighted the Defence Cooperation Program’s broad support to Solomon Islands border security capability in addition to the Eastern Border Outpost, including:

• Construction of the Western Border Outpost which reached Initial Operating Capability in December 2024
• More than SBD $160 million delivered for RSIPF Maritime Force in 2024, including:
  • refurbished the Aola Wharf, extending the life for 30 years
  • ongoing maintenance of Solomon Islands’ Guardian Class Patrol Vessels, RSIPV Gizo and RSIPV Taro
  • upgraded Maritime Headquarters infrastructure
• 6 new aluminum long boats which will be delivered in early Q3 2025
• Replacement of over 80% of the RSIPF small boat fleet with improved rayboats capable of 60 horsepower
• Delivered RSIPF Boats Facilities in Taro, Gizo, Auki, Tulagi, Buala and Kira-Kira.
• Delivered upgraded RSIPF Police Stations in the Western and Eastern border areas
• 71 new solar lights for Gizo and Shortland Island under the Community Security Lighting Project
• 11 Exercise Coastwatcher’s serials with over 60 courses and more than 1000 RSIPF receiving ADF training since December 2021.

 

ENDS//

– AHC Media Release