Paynesville – As the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia is gradually nearing end, the government of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has expressed confidence that it is ready to assume full responsibility for the country’s security by June 30, 2016.
As part of government’s preparations, it has reaffirmed commitment to the implementation of the drawdown plan and its own preparedness to take on the responsibility of peace and stability in the country.
Recently, President Sirleaf was quick to acknowledge the gaps UNMIL’s departure would create and the huge challenges ahead of the 2017 electoral process.
“Having enjoyed over a decade of peace and tranquillity as a result of the efforts of the gallant men and women of UNMIL, Liberians are resolved to commit themselves to sustaining the earned peace even after UNMIL departs the country,” she said.
The Ministry of Justice has developed the government’s security transition plan through UNMIL’s support and extensive consultations with stakeholders, including civil society organizations.
Progress against benchmarks of the plan is monitored by a Joint Implementation Group, which is chaired by the Minister of Justice and co-chaired by the SRSG of UNMIL, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Minister of Defense, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and the Ambassador of the United States.
Supporting and implementing partners are also helping in the process of preparing the security of the country especially the Liberia National Police.
One of government’s supporting partners, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has turned over a multipurpose building to the Liberia National Police Training Academy (LNPTA) to help enhance the training of officers attending the academy. The multipurpose building contains a gymnasium, offices etc.
The construction of the building was funded by the Norwegian Government through the UNDP. Turning over the building on behalf of the UNDP, the team leader of UNDP, Nessie Golakai-Gould, praised the government of Norway for the support to the Liberia National Police.
She disclosed that the UNDP signed a cost sharing agreement for the implementation of the project in 2010 with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to implement the project.
The UNDP staff noted that the project is aimed at strengthening the operational and technical capacity of the Liberia National Police in terms of basic resources and infrastructure.
Receiving the keys to the building on behalf of the Liberia National Police, the acting commandant of the Liberia National Police Training Academy, Sadiatu Reeves, thanked the UNDP and the Norwegian government for the project completion.
Madam Reeves noted that the building will help train new recruits that are entering the Police academy.
“We are glad to receive such a multipurpose building. It will help the Liberia National Police Academy to enhance the training of officers who are coming to the academy”, she emphasized. She urged officers of the academy to protect the facility.
Edwin G. Genoway, Jr(231886458910)[email protected]