By EDDIE OSIFELO
SOLOMON Islands has seen a group of its explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) officers achieve high-level certifications to address the persistent issue of unexploded ordnance (UXOs) in the region.
Fourteen EOD officers within the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have recently attained EOD Level 11 certification, while an additional fifteen officers secured Level III certification.
These certifications represent a notable step forward in their expertise and preparedness to handle explosive ordnance effectively.
This achievement owes a great deal to the American non-profit organization, the Golden West Humanitarian Foundation (GWHF).
The GWHF specializes in developing innovative technologies and strategies to address the technical challenges associated with humanitarian mine clearance.
They provided essential training to the EOD officers, enabling them to obtain these valuable certifications.
The acknowledgment of this accomplishment came from Minister of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services, Anthony Veke, during a session in Parliament on Monday.
Minister Veke expressed pride in the skills and training of the EOD officers, describing them as some of the best-trained experts in the region when it comes to dealing with UXOs.
In a promising turn of events, the U.S Department of Defense has offered its support to further enhance the capabilities and capacity of the EOD teams for UXO removal in the Solomon Islands.
While the exact extent of financial support from the U.S State Department is yet to be determined, Minister Veke anticipates positive discussions on this front.
Furthermore, private entities established by former EOD officers in the Solomon Islands are actively involved in UXO surveying and removal operations.
These organizations operate with the necessary licenses and have the authority to charge fees for their services, contributing to the comprehensive efforts to address the UXO issue.
The Solomon Islands continue to grapple with the consequences of World War II battles that took place in 1942, resulting in a dangerous legacy of UXOs that pose a persistent threat to the safety of the local population.
The recent advancements in training and potential support from the U.S Department of Defense mark significant steps toward addressing this long-standing concern and ensuring the safety of the people in the Solomon Islands.
