NEW AUKI POLICE STATION OPENED
(Left to Right) Commissioner of Police, Frank Prendergast; Minister of Police, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka; Malaita Deputy Premier, Hon. Alick Maeaba; RAMSI Special Coordinator, Justine Braithwaite; Commander RAMSI PPF, Greg Harrigan; and Malaita PPC, Alfred Uiga in front of the new Auki Police station. Photo credit: RAMSI Public Affairs.
The people of Malaita Province will now have access to a modern, spacious and well-equipped police station with the opening of the Malaita Provincial Police Headquarters, worth AUD$1.8 million, in the provincial capital Auki today.
RAMSI Special Coordinator Justine Braithwaite handed over the new Headquarters to the Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services Peter Shanel Agovaka.
Speaking in Auki, the RAMSI Special Coordinator said the opening of the facility is proof of RAMSI’s commitment to see that the RSIPF is well-supported and well-resourced.
“From today the Auki-based RSIPF will have this state-of-the-art facility with which to serve the surrounding communities now and into the future. This facility is arranged in a way that allows for a better flow of information, more cohesiveness within different departments and a more efficient working environment. The station has new police cells that meet human rights standards and are also fitted with IT cables to Internet services. The facility also allows for a dedicated private room for interviewing victims so that when they come to the police to make a report, they can feel safe and secure.”
The RAMSI Special Coordinator also said in handing over this facility, RAMSI expects great service, commitment and professionalism from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.
“It’s a privilege and honour for me on behalf of RAMSI to hand over this new police station to the Government and people of Solomon Islands through the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services. In handing over this new police station, RAMSI wants to see the RSIPF to do a good work for the people of Malaita Province. This new station is a gift from us to the people of Malaita and those who are working for the province.”
The new Auki Police station was built by Manepuri Construction and was blessed by the Anglican Bishop of Malaita, the Right Reverend Sam Sahu.