THE response to threat from Unexploded Ordnances (UXO) requires a well-coordinated and whole-of-government approach, says Police Minister Moses Garu.
In his opening remarks at the National UXO Coordination workshop this week, the minister said one of the main messages of this workshop is that UXO are more than just a police matter.
“The presence of UXO in the Solomon Islands affects the environment, health, education, land management, fisheries, infrastructure development, etc as well as international treaties, regional aspects and foreign affairs,” Mr Garu said.
“To date at the government level, we have not had any mechanism in place to deal with this issue in a coordinated and regulated way,” he added.
He said Solomon Islands is considering joining some other relevant weapons control conventions as a state party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.
“As a developing nation, we can also look to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for some guidance.
“Achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals is directly impacted by the presence of UXO, such as the SDG’s related to ending poverty, good health and well-being and national ownership,” Mr Garu remarked.
Police EOD has carried out a total of 1,361 public safety tasks between Aug 2011 and Jul 2017.
They recovered 1,145 13,635 UXO/AXO items in/around the greater Honiara /Guadalcanal area. A further 10,437 UXO/AXO items were recovered from other provinces over the same period.
A total of 12,945 UXO/AXO items were additionally located within Hell’s Point, east Honiara, during routine patrols and clearance of targeted areas.
International UXO Consultant Ian Mansfield said he will meet with the aligning government ministries and discuss and identify a work plan for Solomon Islands.
“Assess existing threat from UXO, Review existing laws and measures, Discuss ways to strengthen coordination, Discuss content of, National UXO Policy, National UXO Strategy, National UXO Standards and Agree on next steps,” Mr Mansfield outlined in his presentation.
The workshop is a conjunction of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Service with the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD).
It was attended by relevant line of ministries and international partners working in the field of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from WWII Guadalcanal Campaign.
By TEDDY KAFO