11 Jun 2015

RAMSI handover new police headquarters in Auki

8:03 am on 11 June 2015

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands has officially opened the new Malaita Provincial Police Headquarters in Auki.

Cutting of the ribbon to officially open the new Auki Police station (From left to right) Commissioner of RSIPF, Frank Prendergast; Ministry of Police, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka; RAMSI Special Coordinator, Justine Braithwaite; and Deputy Premier of Malaita Province, Hon. Alick Maeaba.

Cutting of the ribbon to officially open the new Auki Police station (From left to right) Commissioner of RSIPF, Frank Prendergast; Ministry of Police, Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka; RAMSI Special Coordinator, Justine Braithwaite; and Deputy Premier of Malaita Province, Hon. Alick Maeaba. Photo: RAMSI

RAMSI's special coordinator Justine Braithwaite presided over a handover ceremony for the US$1.4 million facility on Wednesday.

The Auki Police station is the 7th station that RAMSI has built in Solomon Islands under the Mission's infrastructure development programme for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

Ms Braithwaite said RAMSI remains committed to seeing that the RSIPF is well-supported and well-resourced.

The Minister of Police thanked RAMSI for providing the funds to build the new facility and the Malaita Provincial Government for allocating the land which the building is located.

Peter Shanel warned the provincial police command in Malaita that having the new headquarters would raise expectations from the communities.

He said communities would now expect the RSIPF to perform its duties more effectively.

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.

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: supplied