Defence Minister Inia Seruiratu while responding to questions posed by members of the Opposition [Source: Fijian Government]

Enhancing regional security is very critical for the Fiji Police Force in and around the region.

While responding to questions posed by members of the Opposition, Defence Minister Inia Seruiratu says they are working with Police Forces around the region in curbing transnational crimes.

“It’s about strengthening good governance, it’s about creating that environment for investment and development, the sharing of information and intelligence is very critical, given the vulnerability that I have mentioned earlier, the sharing of resources, some of our smaller countries do not have the capability, neither the capacity, they lack the resources and this is why this partnership, we maximize our output and at the same time we minimize the costs involved through the sharing of resources.”

Opposition MP Niko Nawaikula [Source: Fijian Government]

However, Opposition MP Niko Nawaikula questioned the force’s regional policing strategy considering the ever-increasing drug cases around the region.

“What the impact of this regional policing and the fight against drugs because from this side of the house, you can’t do anything, it’s proliferating, between regions, drug trafficking is increasing, it’s increasing, it’s increasing.”

Seruiratu says they are giving their best to tackle the issue.

“Look at the number of arrests that have been made, Fiji and the region is a transit point and we are managing effectively and we are doing well.”

Seruiratu says they are also partnering with Police forces from other Pacific Island Countries to address the issue.

He adds the force is also providing relevant training to better the knowledge of police officers in the Pacific on how to curb transnational crimes.