RSIPF Officially Opens Wagina Police Station
The Minister responsible for the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Hon. Anthony Veke, has officially opened the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Wagina Police Station in Choiseul Province on Friday 5 August 2022.
The RSIPF and Australian Federal Police (AFP) partnership program, RSIPF-AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP), funded the construction of this Station.
RAPPP officially handed over the Station to the RSIPF on March 22 2022.
RAPPP Acting Commander, MPNSCS Minister and PS, RSIPF Commissioner and an elder from Wagina community during the inspection and opening of the RSIPF Wagina Police Station
The Wagina Police Station project is valued at around SBD2.6 million.
The new Station was designed with a focus on sustainability to withstand the country’s harsh tropical environment.
Solar power and batteries were also installed in the Station to supply power for up to three days even without sunlight.
Water tanks were also installed on site to improve the functionality of the Station and to supply fresh water to locals on the island and a nearby medical centre.
The new Wagina Police Station with solar and water tanks
Minister Veke thanked the AFP, through RAPPP, for supporting the project and for continuing to invest in the RSIPF.
“Projects like this help the Solomon Islands Government to provide accessible policing services to the communities in Solomon Islands and we thank the AFP for continuing to support such projects and for being a valued security partner,” Minister Veke said.
The RSIPF Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said the AFP’s ongoing support of RSIPF is greatly appreciated.
“This Station provides RSIPF and the community of Wagina with modern facilities, and improved access to police services.
The Station has the capacity to accommodate up to eight officers, which will be a welcome presence for the Wagina community,” Commissioner Mangau said.
Wagina Police Station situates close to the shoreline making it accessible to by land and sea
RAPPP Acting Commander, Heath Davies, said RAPPP will continue to deliver operational assistance to the RSIPF.
“RAPPP supports the RSIPF in six core delivery pillars, one of which focused on improving the operational effectiveness of the RSIPF by strengthening foundational enabling services,” Acting Commander Davies said.
He said this includes fit-for-purpose policing infrastructure, which is evident with the new Wagina Police Station which is a real asset for the RSIPF and Wagina community.
A local contractor constructed this building which provided work opportunities for locals. The construction of the Station involved the RSIPF Provincial Police Commander, Ministry of Infrastructure Development, the RSPIF’s Property and Infrastructure Division and AFP Advisors.
ENDS///
RAPPP Media release