BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
THE Australian Defence department will continue to support the Royal Solomon Islands Force Police Maritime.
Police Commissioner Matthew Varley said this recently when responding to questions raised on the issue of the new patrol boat that will arrive at the end of 2019 that the Australian Defence will continue to support in terms of operational cost and maintaining of police patrol boats.
Mr Varley said the RSIPF with the Solomon Islands Government will also support but the Australian defence programme is still continuing, adding that it is a very generous donation from the Australian Government.
He said the purchase of the new patrol boat will boost the capability of the police maritime.
Varley also said that the new patrol boat will be arriving at the end of 2019 and it will be the replacement of the Patrol Boat Lata.
He said that prior to the arrival of the new patrol boat, maritime officers will undergo training and there will also be upgrading of current facilities.
This year Patrol Boat Auki is due for an overhaul and will be going over to the Australia.
Cost of the repairs and maintenance will be met by the Australian government under the Australian Defence programme, Varley said.
