EXCESS BUDGET ON POLICE OPERATION WORTH THE CAUSE

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BY GEORGINA KEKEA

THE recent operation by Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to maintain peace and security did not come cheap.

Speaking to local media, Police Commissioner, Mathew Varley says the local police force has encountered many challenges during the country’s elections.

Varley says the whole election operation is in excess of 11 million dollars.

”That has been well funded by the Solomon Islands Government and we are grateful for the budget support to enable us to do our job”, Varley said.

Audio Mathew Varley on support by Government

The Police Commissioner said further unexpected costs were made during the riots on 24th and 25th April.

“Of course when you see riots like that occur, obviously there is damage to business, there is a cost to the economy and people lose business and lose property and we also saw people stealing property”.

Varley said 10 police vehicles had been brought in for repairs after being damaged by rocks and other incidents.

He said assessment made on the damages on the police vehicles alone will cost RSIPF more than $230,000.

“And that damage includes broken windscreens, replaced glass in cars and also panels on vehicles that need replacement or body repair”.

Audio Matthew Varley on loss to Solomon Islands

Varley said this had impacted on the police operations as they need the vehicles to be repaired as soon as possible to assist in their day to day operations.

More than 1600 police and CSSI officers had been deployed throughout the country during the national general election.

ENDS///



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