Press Releases

» Japan Helps Upgrade Police Equipment

The Government of Japan is pleased to announce its decision to provide up to US$129,664 (approx. F$212,563) in grant aid funds to the Fiji Police Force for the purchase of equipment. The Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Kenji Miyata, will meet with the Police Commissioner, Mr. Andrew Hughes, at the Embassy at 10:00am on Friday 12 March 2004 to formalise the donation.

The first grant of US$57,993 (approx. F$95,070) will be for the establishment of a network of 41 computers. The new computer network system will assist in establishing a crime data bank which can be analysed to establish the frequency of certain types of crimes in each police locality. The network will also provide a voice and data exchange facility between the various police stations within the four divisions of police operations. Mr. Konosuke Yamamuro, a Japanese national attached to the Fiji Police Force under Japan’s Senior Volunteer Programme, will oversee the establishment of the network system.

The second grant of US$71,671 (approx. F$117,493) will help in the purchase of 17 motor cycles equipped with hand-held radio kits, which will enhance community policing efforts within the Flagstaff, Vatuwaqa, Tamavua, Nakasi and Downtown Suva areas.

Japan’s assistance is in response to continued calls from all quarters of Fiji’s public for better services, which can only be delivered if the human resources of the force are complemented with sufficient capital resources. The donation is provided under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects programme. It is hoped that the new equipment will enable the Fiji Police Force to provide better service to the people of Fiji.