Monrovia – Gbarpolu County Representative Alfred Koiwood has disclosed that the House Committee on National Security has commissioned an investigation into the expenditure of US$10 million for the purchasing of uniforms and other materials for the Police by the Project Implementation Unit under the Ministry of the Justice Ministry.
Report by Willie N. Tokpah – [email protected]
Koiwood who chairs the Committee on National Security expressed shock over the appalling nature of the uniforms of Police officers in the streets and the lack of needed logistics to effectively execute their constitutional duties.
“US$15 million was appropriated by the Executive for the drawdown of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, and as Chairman on National Security, I Iobbied with my colleagues and said money was increased to US$20 million,” Koiwood said.
He told FrontPage Africa over the weekend that additional US$10 million was allotted and disbursed for similar purpose at the beginning of 2016, yet security apparatus, especially the Liberia National Police continued to complain for necessary logistics.
Koiwood wants Project Implementation Unit under the Ministry of Justice answer to questions on the expenditure of said amount as well as address concerns raised over the extreme difficulties Police officers experience due to the lack of needed logistics.
“This amount was intended to purchase vehicles, uniforms, boots, lethal and nonlethal weapons, among others for the smooth and effective operations of the Police, but officers still appear appalling on the streets of Monrovia and other parts of the country,” Koiwood asserted.
Koiwood said his committee will exercise its legislative oversight to ensure that the Project Implementation Unit of the Police produces a comprehensive budget performance report on the expenditure of the US$10 million.
Representative Koiwood: “The issue of security must not be taken lightly, especially as UN Mission in Liberia draws down and as the country moves to a democratic transition come 2017.”
The Gbarpolu County Lawmaker further registered his displeasure when Swedish Ambassador Lena Nordstrom handed over a Letter of Intent by the Swedish Development International Development Agency (SIDA) to support of the Liberian National Police in Brewerville. He said such aid poses question to expenditure made by the Project Implementation Unit.
Koiwood, however, commended the Government of Sweden for the new cooperation which he said was important in addressing some of the many challenges the country is faced with.
The new cooperation named the Swedish and Liberian Police Cooperation Project is expected to benefit Zone 6 in Brewerville, Zone 8 in Paynesville and Zone 10 in the Doe Community on the Bushrod Island.
It is line with her government’s development cooperation strategy with Liberia for 2016-2020 focusing on basic crime investigation, crime scene investigation with specific focus on crimes related to sexual and gender base violence.
Meanwhile, Representative Koiwood believes the new pact will significantly help the Police force. He made specific reference to the gathering of evidence and facts from crime scenes to boost prosecution.