Punjas Aknowledges Police Officer's Gesture

Officials from the Punjas Group of Companies visited Special Inspector of Police Penjamini Vukivou yesterday, showing appreciation for his actions a week ago after he helped a pregnant woman give birth in a taxi.

A team from the company’s Human Resources Department was instructed by their head of the Company to show appreciation after reading last week’s article in the Fiji Sun.

Punjas Group of Company Human Resources Manager Sharon Prasad said the work of Police officers usually did not get recognition and they were happy as a family company to show their appreciation.

“This is a gesture to thank them for the good work they do. We normally don’t get to see such gestures from a male Police officer to help in the a delivery of baby. That was unusual.

“They are also our next-door neighbours.  It was a time to congratulate them and a special thank you to inspector Ben for good thinking.

It restored our faith in the police team.

“There are a lot of good things they do and it does not come to the attention of the public.”

S/IP Vukivou, while receiving the gifts from Punjas, said it was unexpected since he was only doing his work as a Police officer.

“I am lost for words; I was just doing my work on that day. This will motivate me to even go the extra mile,” he said.

S/IP Vukivou, who has been in the Police force for ten years, said being able to help a mother deliver her baby safely was an experience he would never forget.

He was controlling traffic at Natabua junction in Lautoka last Wednesday when he noticed a taxi carrying the pregnant woman stuck in traffic.

The 30-year-old mother, Vini- ana Tudia, was assisted by S/IP Vukivou, who left his position on the road, got into the taxi and assisted the taxi driver to clear traffic and rush to the hospital.

When Mrs Tudia gave birth in the taxi, the Police officer took on the role of a midwife and assisted her in safely delivering the baby boy in the vehicle.

Edited by Epineri Vula