Community acknowledge police for UXO awareness talk in Honiara

Chairperson of the Flight 01 community behind Henderson International Airport, Doctor Pedical Togamae has acknowledged the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) for conducting an awareness program yesterday evening (2 June 2021).

Dr Togamae says after few tragic accidents because of bomb blasts occurred in our communities we feel that our residences may not be safe so we request the EOD team to come and do some kind of awareness to our residence owners here. This will help us know and identify the type of bombs they are so we can inform the EOD experts to come and remove it. A good number of community members turned up, and listened to the awareness talk.

Officer In Charge (OIC) Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Inspector Clifford Tunuki strongly warned the community members not to risk themselves by removing bombs when sighted. Never ever attempt to move or tamper with a bomb’ says Inspector Clifford.

OIC Tunuki says, “It is a common practice that some farmers in our communities use to light fire to dying grasses. This is a very dangerous habit and we need to be vigilant in all aspects to avoid any tragic incidence in future.”

Inspector Tunuki says, “Contractors doing excavations on their plot land, please be conscious when you start digging. Should you encounter any old rusty iron or bomb structures lying underground do call police and report it. My team will always respond to investigate for bomb reports on that specific site, safely remove it to Hells Point, and destroy it. When you see any UXOs, it is advisable to mark the location but not closer than 3 metres from the suspicious item.”

Any sighting of UXOs call police toll free on phone 999 or call EOD Team on mobile 7495215 or 7495214 or you may report it to a nearest police station.

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