Ex-Police Officers who served at the western border during the civil unrest are warning the gov’t that their patience is wearing thin over their delayed payment
EX-POLICE officers who served along the sea border between Solomon Islands and Bougainville during the civil unrest 23 years ago have warned their patience is wearing thin.
They are mobilising in a bid to get the government pay up, one member told Solomon Star yesterday.
The Government owes the 400-plus ex-police officers an estimated SBD86 million.
“The fact that we’ve been patient for the last 23 years without resorting to any violence or public disturbance shows we have been extra patient. We have shown that we are disciplined.
“But our patience is wearing thin,” the man who asked to speak in anonymity, said.
“It would seem we have been lied to over and over again all these years. Now we are going to do something about this,” the man said.
It is understood some 400 or so members are mobilising to aggressively pursue payments that the government has promised them under their deployment along the border as well as in Honiara during the 2000 civil unrest.
Under the terms of their deployment, the government promised to pay each officer $300, 000.
“We have already received $100, 000 each. Now we are seeking the payment of the balance, which is $200, 000 each. Now it seems the government has simply ignored us,” the man said.
The man said some of its members have passed on, but before they died, they told their children about the payment the government owed them.
“These children are now fully grown and are getting agitated as well because it seems the government is not keeping to its words.
“We urge the government to do something now in addressing our situation before others take advantage of what is a volatile situation right now. This is not a threat, but we are frustrated. Our patience is wearing thin,” the man said.
By Alfred Sasako
