Render Safe 19 underway in Western Province

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have started exploding unexploded ordnances (UXOs) at various locations as part of Operation Render Safe 19 in the Western Province.

“Since the Operation started yesterday, UXOs have been located at Kindu, Munda including mortars and ammunitions up to105 millimetres. EOD and ADF officers have properly identified the UXOs and advised the nearby communities to stay away from the unexploded ordnances,” says RSIPF Commander of the Render Safe 19 Operation and Assistant Commissioner of Police, National Operations, Evelyn Thugea.

“All UXOs that were sighted and recorded will be removed to a demolition site. The EOD and ADF officers will follow up on any new UXO reports. As soon as a demolition site is identified, the UXOs will be safely disposed.”

“I want to appeal to members of the public in Munda and any other communities nearby where the EOD and ADF personnel are operating to stay away from the areas of operation. While the operation is underway, members of the public are encouraged to report any sightings of any UXOs to the EOD and ADF officers who are on the ground. Please do not attempt to handle any of the unexploded ordnances,” ACP Thugea explains.

Meanwhile, other teams under Render Safe 19 are being deployed to Jack Harbour and Teme on Kolombangara and Baeroko in North New Georgia.

“Already reports from our officers say they have conducted four blasts at Teme Village on Kolombangara yesterday,” says ACP Thugea.

She adds: “I call on chiefs and other community leaders in communities in the Western Province where Render Safe 19 will be covering to cooperate with our EOD officers and the ADF personnel so we can get rid of the UXOs which continue to pose a danger to the lives of our people.”

Render Safe is an operation held every two years comprising of joint activity between the RSIPF and the Australian Defence Force to undertake the disposal of unexploded ordinance (UXO). New Zealand Defence Force personnel will also be participating in the exercise this year.

Together, the three nations will establish a ‘Joint Task Force’ for the duration of the operation as a demonstration of commitment and joint effort to address the humanitarian problems caused by UXOs.

The main area of operation this year will be at Vonunu on Vella La Vella Island, Teme and Jack Harbour communities on Kolombangara, Baeroko on New Georgia Island, Boeboe and New Mala in the Vona Vona Lagoon, Noro and Munda.

The primary focus of the operation will be to safely dispose of UXO items to ensure improved safety for local communities.

Operation Render Safe 19 will end on 9 November 2019.