Aruma says task force ready to provide security for Apec

A JOINT task force based at Taurama is ready to provide security during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders’ summit in November, a senior officer says.
Commanding officer of the First Battalion Royal Pacific Island Regiment at Taurama Barracks Lieutenant-Colonel Boniface Aruma said the task force group Mero was the Apec security response team made up of 746 officers.
“We completed our company of excellence course last year and now the battalion is blessed with young energetic vibrant soldiers who are ready to take on the challenge notwithstanding the odd disciplinary issues,” he said.
Chief of force preparations Colonel Siale Diro said as part of the company of excellence programme, they brought the average age of recruitment down from 30 to 20.
“As a unit and an organisation, we are starting to reap the rewards of the company of excellence course as we embark on our training
and preparation for Apec 2018,” he said. “We must, as an organisation, position ourselves to effectively and efficiently revive all the necessary support that our commander and the Government require to successfully deliver the event.”
They will continue training in the coming months.
“These trainings will demand a lot of commitment and dedication from each and every one of us to shape the environment and make it safe, secure and conducive for the visiting economies,” Diro said.
He urged officers to portray a positive image to the world by demonstrating competency, confidence and reliability to bring confidence to all participating nations.