EOD team conduct awareness on bomb at Lengakiki in Honiara

Bombs are design to kill and destroy are a strong message delivered during an awareness program conducted by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Lengakiki Ministers Ridge on 29 May 2021.

Supervisor EOD, Senior Sergeant (SSgt) Ansa Puaraua said since it is design to kill and destroy, we encourage you not to attempt to remove or disturb any unexploded ordnance (UXOs) when discovered in your area.”

SSgt Puaraua said although it might look very old and rust the explosive inside is not expire like those goods we purchased in shops. It is still active and could explode at any time. When you see any UXOs, do not try to remove anything that is on top of it. Be aware of lighting fires in new locations.”

Mr Puaraua said during the awareness that your actions could make the UXOs blow up and it may kill you and your family. Therefore, when you see any UXOs it is advisable to mark the location but not closer than 3 metres from the item. Good if you sight any UXOs report it to police.”

During the awareness, the EOD team make a slide presentation on different types of bomb discovered. Those bombs are from USA and Japan for members of the communities at Lengakiki to aware of it.

Officer In Charge (OIC) EOD Inspector Clifford Tunuki says, “A similar presentation also conducted on 29 May 2021 at Hells Point to the staff of the Australian High Commission Office .More than 40 people were attended the UXO awareness program.”

OIC Tunuki says,

“The presentation aimed at knowing the hazard of UXO, some safety guidelines, prevention measures and what to do when sighting a UXO or bomb.

This is part of our community outreach program to inform our people the risk and danger of UXO that pose risk to lives and the surrounding environment.”

Inspector Tunuki says, “The RSIPF EOD team will continue to visit communities within Guadalcanal and Honiara to conduct this UXO awareness program. The team will also extent program to other provinces that have experienced the presence of Explosive Ordnance at their surroundings in the near future.”

Many questions were asked during the presentation and the EOD experts cleared those question.

Any sighting of UXOs call police free toll on phone 999 or call EOD Team on mobile 7495215 or 7495214. You are also encourage to report it at any nearest police station.