Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya has welcomed the strengthening of Fiji’s policing ties with Australia, describing the Vuvale Partnership as vital to tackling transnational crime and securing the country’s borders.
Responding to a ministerial statement by Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua, Mr Koya said the partnership had gone from “strength to strength” and thanked Australia for its ongoing assistance to Fiji.
“I think this particular partnership that we have with the Australian Government is quite important, the strength of it is quite phenomenal,” he said.
Mr Koya said the Free Uplift Programme, aimed to improve the operational effectiveness of the Fiji Police Force, would also boost public trust.
“The public trust in our institutions must always be at optimum level.
“These are the two things that are being addressed on leadership, on human resources, ethics and communications.
“These are very important portions and parts of the Fiji Police Force that we are going to get assistance in.”
He said the Solesolevaki Agreement facilitated capability development and examined Fiji’s security vulnerabilities, adding that the partnership would deliver significant benefits for all Fijians.
Mr Koya also highlighted the importance of community policing, especially in rural areas and schools, and welcomed plans for Australian Federal Police officers to be embedded with the Fiji Police Force.
“Again, this is only going to be beneficial to us because of the vast amount of experience that comes with it, and it is beneficial to our Fiji Police Force to learn from it.
“Regionally speaking, we are also one of the leaders in the region and it is helpful in terms of the partnership, there is a regional aspect to it,” Mr Koya said,
With transnational crime escalating globally, he said Fiji must have such partnerships to share intelligence and draw on neighbourly support.
“It is critically important because our borders are actually porous, and we need to always be constantly on top of things.”
Mr Koya said training and technical support under the partnership would be invaluable, particularly in addressing drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.