A Memorandum of Understanding signed yesterday between the Fiji Police Force and the Ministry of Fisheries will ensure access for the Force to use the ministry’s premises for the purpose of border policing.
The Fiji Police’s maritime capabilities are kept at Draunibota and it is also the main base for the WATERPOL Division.
Fiji’s Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu said the signing was timely considering the institutional intent of improving service delivery in all areas of policing.
He said WATERPOL had a major role to play in the monitoring of Fiji’s maritime borders and serving the maritime islands.
And he adds the signing will enable the institution to carry out necessary infrastructural changes to the property in a bid to secure maritime capabilities.
Ministry of Fisheries permanent secretary Pene Baleinabuli said discussions had been ongoing for a number of years.
He said they were happy to finally get the signing formalised noting the importance of maritime policing.
