RSIPF to conduct bomb blasting in Western Province

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (RSIPF EOD) team will be conducting bomb blasting tasks on the areas of Barakoma and Valapata on Vella La Vella, Pienuna on Ranogga, Ringgi on Kolombangara and Noro and Munda on New Georgia Islands respectively. The dates and times of the tasks will be from Wednesday 14 July 2021 to Wednesday 21 July 2021 between 9am to 4pm respectively.

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

He explains: “The task to get rid of these bombs is part of the RSIPF’s responsibilities to remove and destroy bombs found and which are endangering our environment, lives and property. 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. Safe evacuations and road blocks will be enforced when required to the mentioned communities”

He adds: “It is advisable that whilst the team is on the ground, our surrounding local communities in those areas to report any sighting of unexploded bombs and that can be dealt with straight away.

“I call on the communities in the Shortland Islands and across the country to report any sightings of any unexploded bombs through Police free toll line 999, the RSIPF EOD mobile 7495215 or to any nearest Police Stations,” says OIC Tunuki.