As Kiribati celebrates its national day, RAMSI Special Coordinator James Batley has thanked Kiribati for continuing to contribute to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

Mr Batley said he was pleased that Kiribati’s Finance and Economic Development Minister was able to meet members of his country’s PPF contingent during his visit to Solomon Islands for the recent Forum Economic Ministers Meeting. The Minister, the Hon Nabuti Mwemwenikarawa, was able to learn first hand from the Kiribati police contingent about their work in Solomon Islands.

Mr Batley said that i-Kiribati have been part of RAMSI from the beginning and continued to play an important role as members of the Participating Police Force.

“Kiribati makes a point of contributing members of its police force to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands even though it has a small population and a small police force,” Mr Batley said.

“As members of the PPF they are helping to rebuild a key institution – the Royal Solomon Islands Police.

“On behalf of RAMSI, I want to thank the government and people of Kiribati for this act of friendship on the occasion of their national day. It is greatly appreciated by Solomon Islanders.”

There are five i-Kiribati in the current 9-month rotation with the PPF.

The contingent is led by commander Okoro Iuka. It is the first time the Kiribati contingent has been led by a woman. These PPF members have served in provincial posts Tingoa, Auki and Mbambanakira.