RSIPF EOD officers completes training

Eight officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Department successfully completed a two-week training yesterday.

Facilitated by a team from Japan’s Ground Self-Defence Forces, this was the first-ever training conducted for EOD officers under the Solomon Islands and Japan’s bilateral relationship.   

Participants of the training received certificates and exchanged gifts with facilitators during a brief closing ceremony held at Hell’s Point in East Honiara.

In his remarks during the ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Yoshiaki Miwa underscored that building the capacity of EOD represents the shared vision of peace and security.

“I respect all of you, who are devoting your life and time to attain the safety of your nation. Safety is the basis of your society. Without safety, a country or society cannot develop,” he emphasized.

Unexploded ordnances (UXO) from the conflict between Japan and allied forces in World War II remain a persistent threat to the lives of local communities.  

Ambassador Miwa restated Japan’s moral obligation and commitment to assisting RSIPF EOD’s in clearing all UXOs in the country.

Meanwhile, Head of RSIPF’s EOD Department, Inspector Clifford Tunuki commended the Japanese Defence Team for their professionalism, commitment and cooperation in conducting the training.

“It is sometimes difficult to teach when there are language barriers, this however has not stopped you from ensuring that the information was understood… This shows great commitment and cooperation from you, and I thank you for your hard work and dedication.”

He encouraged EOD officers to utilise the new knowledge and skills obtained from the training as they perform their field duties in the future.  

SIBC News understands, Japan’s Defence Forces Team is expected to conduct a second UXO training next year. 

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By Andrea Ma’ahanua