RSIPF prepares for border reopening on July 1

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As part of the preparation for border reopening on 1 July 2022, the officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has gone through a brief training conducted by Solomon Island Immigration and Australian Border Force (ABF) at Kulitanai Police Station in the western border between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands (SI) recently.

Forward Commander (FC), Western Border Operation, Superintendent Ileen Ukebule said the government agencies that benefited from this training are the officers of the RSIPF, Solomon Island Customs, Bio Security and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).

Ukebule said this training was provided by Inspector Damien Pollard of the ABF and Chris Akosawa, the Deputy Director of Immigration, Solomon Islands. It helps officers to prepare more effectively for the reopening borders.

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“Immigration awareness is important for multi-law enforcement agencies as they will be working together to maintain international border security to protect Solomon Islands from health and other border related risks,” she said.

Ukebule said the traditional border reopening will pave the way forward for traditional border people at western border including Choiseul Province to re-engage with traditional border activities that encourage cultural ties with both border dwellers on each side.

She said in line with the existing traditional border framework, multi law enforcement agencies will look after the border communities to ensure communities and border relationships are maintained.

She said the existing framework provides border clearances for Immigration and Police at entry points of Harapa Outer Posts, Kulitanai, Kariki and Taro Police Station are the exit and entry points for the border crossers.

The outposts were designated by the Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labor and Immigration under the Immigration Act 2012 to undertake Immigration border clearances for border crossers.

The traditional border crossing days for border trading are Saturdays and Thursdays. There will be other arrangements for traditional border crossings for visiting families, or meetings that may fall outside of the traditional border trading days, Ukebule said.

She added: “Immigration awareness is important for multi-law enforcement agencies as they will be working together to maintain international border security to protect Solomon Islands from health and other border related risks.”

RSIPF Media Unit