Foundation laying Ceremony

The Foundation laying ceremony for the construction of a new Nasova Dog Kennel worth $600,000 was officiated this morning by the Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing Honourable Inia Seruiratu.

The New Kennel will be used as a training facility for new K9's to supplement operational requirements to the Central and Eastern Divisions.

The Hon. Minister said, “The Fijian Government recognizes the important work conducted by the Fiji Police Force and other law enforcement stakeholders in the maintenance of law and order, for the fact that safety and security is the driver of, and drives economic development”.

"The 2022 Fiji Police Budgetary Allocation is testament to that, having increased in this year’s allocation.

This adequately provides for Police projects such as the reconstruction of this Fiji Police Force Dog Kennel".

The old K9 structure was built in the 1960's, and needed to be upgraded to meet the current demand, the Fiji Police Force had requested for Government funding for the demolition and construction of New Nasova Dog Kennel.

The K9 Unit has been instrumental in high volumes of drug seizures, tracking of suspects in robberies, undeclared currency and a case of firearms and ammunitions.

The Minister for Defence also thanked Fiji’s #Duavata partners New Zealand High Commission, Suva, Fiji for its continued support towards strengthening FPF K9 capabilities, a partnership dating back to the 1970s.

“The Duavata partnership has grown over the years and we are also appreciative of the fact that the succession planning in as far as leadership and the retention of specialized skilled K9 officers including the replacement of K9 Dogs from NZ would continue into the foreseeable future”.

“The completion of the new facility complements the Restructure and Reform process currently undertaken by the Fiji Police Force in its modernization programme for the 21st century.”.

Through the Fiji Police Force Support Program, the NNew Zealand Policehas also committed to the supply of K9 dogs in December as well as more training opportunities for FPF handlers.

The total cost of the project is over $600,000.