Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has highlighted the significance of security for the welfare of communities along the Solomon Islands and PNG border at a historic groundbreaking ceremony at Lofang in the Shortland Islands on Wednesday.
The ceremony, according to Sogavare marks an exceptional day for both the people of Shortlands and Solomon Islands.
“I trust that we all appreciate and agree that the security and welfare of communities along the Solomon Island and PNG border is of paramount importance,” he said.
As such, the Prime Minister expressed his desire to see everyone continue to strengthen the security and welfare of our people along our borders.
“This project will go a long way in achieving this, and will ensure that our communities continue to prosper in an environment where we co-exist peacefully with our brothers and sisters across the border,” he said.
Hundreds of people including Chiefs, Elders, Women and Children of the Shortland Islands converge at Lofang and Nila to witness the event on Wednesday.
Their presence, according to the Prime Minister signify how important the project is to their families.
“I am excited and happy to be part of this occasion and it is heartening to see communities around these islands turning up in numbers as well,”
The project once completed will improve border security services in the Western border region by supporting social and economic growth by strengthening border management, surveillance, response capability and protection from illegal activities.
Importantly, the project also aligns well with the Solomon Islands Government’s National Security Strategy and the National Border Security Strategy for better management of our borders.
—GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT
