BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
PERMANENT Secretary of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services Karen Galokale confirms that the next phase of the Solomon Islands Police Development Programme with the RSIPF is pending approval from cabinet.
In an interview with Island Sun, Ms Galokale said the Australian funded SIPDP and New Zealand Solomon Island Police Support Programme ended in June this year.
However, with regards to SIPDP they have reviewed and a newly designed programme completed and ready to be presented to cabinet for approval.
The New Zealand programme are asking for an extension of 12 months for review and also waiting on the New Zealand government for approval on a new programme.
She said though the next phase of the programmes is still pending, they are still rolling, the Australian and New Zealand advisors are still with the RSIPF doing their advisory role.
Galokale said her Ministry has already done consultation with stakeholders regarding the next phase of the SIPDP but they are waiting on the cabinet for approval.
She also said the Australian government already assured them of continuous support and now they are waiting on the Solomon Islands Government on their view and approval.
Galokale also explained that during the drawdown of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Island in 2017, there was an agreement signed between Solomon Islands with the two countries Australia and New Zealand for their continuous support to RSIPF in terms of capacity building and improving the capability of the RSIPF on a four-years program, that program ended on June 30 this year.
