THE safety and security of the people at Kia and surrounding communities in the Isabel Province will be boosted with the opening on 27 February of the $1.3 million new Kia Police Post.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Karen Galokale, the Premier of the Isabel Province, James Habu, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Gabriel Manelusi, senior officers in the Ministry of Police and Isabel Province as well as chiefs’ representatives and members of the community.
Speaking at the opening of the Kia Police Post, Permanent Ms Galokale said:
“We are now in the post RAMSI era and we should be focussing on delivering policing services down to our rural communities.
“This is the only way we can bring back community confidence in the RSIPF.
“Let me remind us all again that the Kia police post is a clear manifestation of the Government’s desire for a peaceful Solomon Islands.”
Ms Galokale added:
“This project is solely funded by the Solomon Islands Government at the cost of about $1.3 million and is a testimony of the government’s commitment to ensure policing services are felt and trickle down to the rural communities.
“It also further strengthens the partnership between the RSIPF, Isabel Provincial Government, Kia and the surrounding communities.
“The visible presence of police will now provide a safe and secure environment for business to operate without fear of criminal disturbances and similarly for families or students to live peacefully.
“I wish to humbly appeal to people in the Kia community and the surrounding communities, to take ownership of the police post in your community.
“Please take care of the police post and render whatever assistance that might be needed from officials who are manning the post.
“It is a privilege indeed to be able to have a police post being established in your community so the ownership and care of it must be taken at the highest level.
“The police officers manning this police post need your support to do their work effectively and that they cannot perform their duties in isolation.
“It is very crucial that you render them the full support they need.”
Speaking at the same occasion, Premier James Habu thanked the National Government and local chiefs, elders and landowners for the completion of the new Kia Police Post.
“The Kia Police Post serves a wide area including communities from Bolitei in the Western end to Hurepelo on the Eastern side,” Mr Habu said.
“The presence of police officers in this region will further boost the work of rangers in the recently declared “National Conservation Area,” he added.
“It will also support the tourism industry in the Arnavon Islands.”
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Gabriel Manelusi, who attended the opening of the Kia Police Post on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, acknowledged the support of leaders of Kia especially the chief, women and youth for the work of the police in that part of Isabel Province.
“Police can only do its work effectively with the support of the communities,” Mr Manelusi said.
“That is why the RSIPF has rolled out the Crime Prevention Strategy which focuses on the establishment of Ward Crime Prevention Committees to assist the police address the various drivers of crime,” he added.
“The Kia Police Post will greatly assist the work of the local crime prevention committees in the communities nearby.”
The new Kia Police Post comprises of an office building and residential building for the single officer that will be manning the Post.
It was first established in November 1996 with a temporary building.
The post will cover the Katova, Kia and Havulei Wards.
– Police Media
