GOVERNMENT QUESTIONED OVER LICENSED FIREARMS
Chairman of the Solomon Islands National Police Council gets a helping hand from a Sapper, in destroying firearms during the first Operation Helpen Fren. Photo credit: AWM.
A concerned Honiara man has questioned the government as to when it will compensate licensed firearm owners whose properties were destroyed in 2003.
Tuma Ma’alo told SIBC News Solomon Islanders who have licenses to own small arms were promised to be compensated, but till now a lot of them are still waiting be compensated.
He adds, responsible authorities should fast track the payments as it has been more than a decade since the promise was made.
Mr Ma’alo said while some have been paid others are still waiting and responsible authorities should quickly settle their dues.
SIBC News understands, more than 5-thousand firearms were destroyed in the country when the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, RAMSI, intervened to help restore normalcy during the tension years.