Chairman of Banika House of Chief says Police is unable to do their work due to non-availability of vehicle

The Chairman Banika House of Chief Mr John Tenten told the Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) Mr Mostyn Mangau that Yandina Police are unable to discharge their duties due to no vehicle.

The Chair of Banika House of Chief highlighted the matter during a day trip by the Commissioner of RSIPF to Yandina on 8 July 2022.

Mr Tenten said, in terms of sea mobility it is okay. Our police officers still do their duties by boat to other parts of Russell Islands but land mobility is becoming a concern for Yandina officers to do their work.

He said Yandina and other parts of Banika Island are diverse. Almost every person in other provinces you can find in Yandina. So to do policing here is not that easy by dealing with different people from other provinces which demand quick response in terms of vehicles.

In response to the concern raised, Mr Mostyn Mangau said the RSIPF have about 51 vehicles soon to release and I can assure you that Yandina will be allocated with a vehicle. Community is policing and policing is community.

Please try and look after our police assets. It is very expensive and we need to look after it well. Our taxpayers pay for us to use it to provide services to our people, he said.

The Police Chief said

I must also thank the Solomon Island Government for supporting the RSIPF and other donor partners for their great support.

It is not easy to source such big fleets to RSIPF but with their good heart they help in many ways.

The visiting team also has time to muster with police officers at Yandiana and discuss some discipline issues and administration matters.