RSIPF to conduct bomb blasting in the Shortlands

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (RSIPF EOD) team will be conducting bomb-blasting tasks in the Shortland Islands, Western Province from Monday 16 November 2020 to Saturday 28 November 2020.

The tasks will be carried out in the areas of Tuha, Nila, Kulitanai, Koliai and Ghaomae on Alu Island and Kariki on Fauro Island between 9 am to 4pm on the respective dates.

Officer In-charge (OIC) of the RSIPF Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, Inspector Clifford Tunuki says, “This operation is in response to multiple UXO reports which have been sent to Police previously by the local communities in those areas and also from the joint Border operational teams. An EOD team is now underway to deal with those WWII remnants.”

Inspector Tunuki explains, “The carrying out of this task is part of the RSIPF’s responsibilities to remove and destroy bombs found in our communities and which are endangering the lives, property and the environment of our people in those areas. The task to blast the bombs will occur on the said dates and timings only and I urge our local communities in those areas to keep out while the operation is in progress.”

“It is advisable that while the EOD team is on the ground, our surrounding local communities in those areas are encouraged to report any sighting of unexploded bombs that can be dealt with straight away.”

“I call on the communities in the Shortland Islands and across the country to report any sighting of unexploded bombs through the RSIPF free toll line 999, the EOD mobile 7495215 or to your nearest police station,” says Inspector Tunuki.