25 Oct 2002

Finance Ministry in Solomons reopens after security improvementr

4:24 pm on 25 October 2002

The Solomon Islands Finance Secretary Lloyd Powell says a significant improvement in policing has allowed him to reopen the Finance

Division.

Its offices were closed to the public earlier this week after workers had been harassed and threatened by special constables after their salaries had not been paid.

Mr Powell said other police had also breached security at the Finance division, despite a security cordon being in place for some weeks.

But he says he has been able to re-open after a material improvement in the security provided by people manning the gate and the perimeter fence.

Mr Lloyd says there are uniformed police in evidence who are interviewing people as they come in.

He says though he wants to see further improvements.

"we have to continue to refine the processes in terms of getting information to the perimeter on the people we expect to have appointments with...but there has been a very material improvement and the police are performing very well at present"