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Cooperation for gun-free country

Police Commissioner, Mr Matthew Valley and Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare signing the amnesty programme during the launching yesterday.

IT is very important that communities who are still in illegal possession of firearms to work together with police and surrender the weapons.

Police Commissioner Mr Matthew Valley made the statement in an interview during the launching of the disarmament amnesty programme yesterday.

He said the programme will be from May 22 to June 9.

Mr Valley said for the next three weeks all provincial police commanders and officers will be working with SIPCRRA and the local communities to encourage people to come forward with their weapons surrender during the amnesty period.

“And people are encourage to bring weapon to the police station or any nearest police post and we’ll be issuing certificates to those who surrender the weapons.

“But most importantly, no person will face prosecution for illegal possession within these three weeks for any firearms that surrender to the police.

“We’ll take the firearms safely to our custody, they will be secured and transported to Honiara for safe keeping and later time we’ll organise a destruction process.

“So we are looking upon supports from the communities as members of police will talk to the people to surrender the weapons,” he said. However, he highlighted that after the amnesty period expires, firearms are already illegal in Solomon Islands and any person found in possession of illegal firearm will face the law.

“This is an opportunity for us to build a better nation and a better community for our future and our children.

“One gun in the community is too many and one gun surrender is a step forward. This is a responsibility for all of us

“I want to assure that the police force is ready and they are new to protect you and protect peace in Solomon Islands, so there’s no reason anymore for public to have guns.”