The Black Rock project is about 70 per cent completed, says Black Rock officer in charge Captain Pranil Singh.

Captain Singh revealed this yesterday when the Senior Colonel Yu Ke, a defence attaché from the Chinese Diplomatic Mission, visited the military’s Black Rock camp, at Votualevu in Nadi.

Senior Colonel Yu Ke was briefed about the various missions being undertaken by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Black Rock project, and how it prepared troops who were selected to be deployed on a mission.

Captain Singh said, “The project is 70 per cent almost on track and it’s expected that our Australia Defence partners will handover sometimes towards the end of this year where all the training will be consolidated into the Black Rock training camp here in Votualevu.

“The Black Rock camp was established in 2015.

“To date, we have 501 troops deployed from RFMF for missions worldwide. Every year we received upgraded training manuals and other mission programs from the UN,” he added.

Fiji and Australia had formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the design of the Black Rock Camp, which will serve as a regional hub for peacekeeping training.

The project is estimated at around $40 million with the assistance of the Australian Government.

It is the home to the new multi-million-dollar Black Rock facility that has guardhouse, UN school, medical facility, logistic precinct, gym, headquarters, and living accommodation.

Senior Colonel Yu Ke said his visit was an opportunity for him to get a progress on the project and other related matters including UN Peacekeeping programmes.

Other diplomatic missions from Australia and New Zealand are expected to visit the areas in the coming days.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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