ENSURING the safety and security of Solomon Islands’ western border area continues to be a priority for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), supported by Australia through the Defence Cooperation Program.
On 25 September, a senior delegation including Minister of Police National Security and Correctional Services and Member for Gizo/Kolombangara, Jimson Tanangada, Minister of Home Affairs and Member for Shortland Islands, Isikeli Junior Vave, Australian High Commissioner, Rod Hilton, RSIPF Assistant Commissioner for Provincial Policing, Mathias Lenialu, and Australian Defence Advisor to Solomon Islands, Colonel Justin Bywater, travelled to Taro, Shortland Island, Nila and Gizo to see firsthand the Defence and RSIPF engagement in the western border area.
In Taro, the delegation addressed students and staff attending/delivering the Boat Handling and Border Surveillance courses as part of Exercise Coastwatchers 24/2, and were also briefed on the new Taro RSIPF boat facility. They then travelled to Shortland Island to view the Western Border Outpost where work has commenced and initial operating capability by the end of the year.
Finally, the delegation travelled to Gizo where they conducted a site visit at the RSIPF Western Province Police Headquarters, and Gizo Police Station, both of which are undergoing upgrades, as well as the new Gizo RSIPF boat facility. While in Gizo they also met Premier of Western Province, Billy Veo.
Colonel Justin Bywater said the Defence Cooperation Program provided comprehensive support to developing the RSIPF’s border surveillance capability, including:
- Small and medium boats fleets, with new jointly designed medium boats delivered from February 2025
- Guardian Patrol Boats including the completion of upgrades to Aola Wharf (now capable until 2054) and ongoing upgrades to Maritime Force Base Facilities
- Provincial Boats Facilities (completed at Taro and Gizo for the Western Border Area)
- Refurbishment of Western Province Police Headquarters, Gizo Headquarters and RSIPF accommodation at Noro
- Provincial Community Security Lights in Gizo and Shortland Island
- Border Surveillance, Boat Handling and Medical Courses on Exercise Coastwatchers
- Construction of the Western Border Outpost which will deliver whole of Government Initial Operating Capability by the end of 2024
- Construction of the Eastern Border Outpost which commenced on 23 September 2024
“In total, Defence has trained more than 700 RSIPF and spent more than SBD 60 million in the Western Border area over the last three years. These projects, initiatives and training are part of Australia’s significant mutual support with the RSIPF,” Colonel Bywater said.
High Commissioner Hilton said he was pleased to see the broad range of activities and projects delivered by the Defence Cooperation Program across Western Province. “It is excellent to see the close collaboration and partnership between Defence and the RSIPF to increase capability and infrastructure across Western Province. I’m proud to see Australia continuing to support RSIPF build its sovereign capacity to ensure Solomon Islands remains safe and secure in the western border area. With security comes social stability, economic stability and prosperity,” High Commissioner Hilton said.
