12 July 2024
In an effort to enhance collaboration and cooperation the Fiji Correction Services (FCS), Commissioner, Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa and the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, met on Monday 8 July, 2024 at the Berkley Hill RFMF HQ to discuss pertinent issues common to both discipline forces. Upon arrival, the Commissioner was accorded a Quarter
Guard mounted by the soldiers which epitomizes military discipline and respect accorded to important visitors.
The purpose of the visit was to pay a courtesy call to the Commander RFMF in view of the Commissioner FCS recent appointment and to discuss on-going engagements between the two forces.
It was agreed at the end of the meeting to pursue the following commitments:
1. The recalling of (19) FCS officers from QEB on pre-deployment training was intended to plug the shortage of manpower arising from the recent surge in prison numbers at the Suva Remand Centre as well as officers deployed to supervise the “MUSU DOVU” operations at Ba, Lautoka, Rakiraki and Tavua, The MUSU DOVU operation is part of the FCS’s contribution to prisoner rehabilitation and contribution to economic growth and nation building. The Commander RFMF assured Commissioner FCS to keep an open offer for participation in future peace keeping operations as and when circumstances permit, through a renewed MOU or MO
A.
2. The Commander agreed also to offer placements of training to officers of the FCS at their training schools and appropriate coordination and preparations to finalize programmes will be pursued in the usual manner by the relevant personnels.
3. In support of the RFMF’s Reconciliation and Restoration efforts, the Commissioner, FCS fully endorses the initiative and stood ready to provide assistance on any call to progress the Reconciliation and Restoration Committee’s work as part of the RFMF strategy to rebuild public confidence and perception towards its role in nation building.
4. The RFMF at FTG and FCS, the Nasinu Corrections Centre share the same land boundary where both leaders agreed to provide assistance in developing and demarcating land boundaries to safe guard their respective interests.
In their closing remarks, both the Commander RFMF and the Commissioner FCS are committed to enhancing their statutory roles through mutual respect, partnership, coordination, collaboration underpinned by the strategic need to continue building good professional working relationships.