With funding from the Government of Japan through UNDP under the “Enhanced Ebola Border Surveillance Project, various supplies were delivered to County authorities and Government security institutions in Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Bong, Lofa, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, River Gee and Maryland Counties to be used by different sectors within border communities.
The materials include thermometers, camp beds, rechargeable solar and security lights, public address systems, as well as sanitation supplies (buckets, cartons of soap, chlorine, clorax etc.).
According to a UNDP press release, beneficiaries of the materials include the Liberia National Police, Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN), female Security Officers, County Health Teams, Offices of Superintendents, Joint Security Councils, among ohers.
The items are to be used to help strengthen border surveillance as Liberia continues the enforcement of Ebola Prevention mechanisms and strives to battle the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.
In remarks, Grand Gedeh County Inspector Josephus Garley said the materials will immensely help improve border patrols, increase awareness on keeping in place Ebola preventive measures and encourage information sharing on small arms and light weapons.
“These materials will help the LNP and BIN to effectively and efficiently execute their duties in the counties,” Mr. Garley stressed.
Delivery of these materials is a follow up to the donation of vehicles, motorbikes, and other materials and supplies to the LNP and BIN by the Government of Japan through UNDP.
According to the Chief Superintendent and County Commander for the River Gee County Police Detachment of the LNP, the donation has immensely contributed to the reduction in illegal entries into the country.
“The presence of the Border Patrol Unit (BPU) and the Liberia National Police at the various border posts and communities has restored the Liberian people’s trust in the security…” E. Wiggs Drunwillie noted.
Chief Superintendent Drunwillie said the continued support being received from the Government of Japan and UNDP, mainly vehicles, motorbikes and other materials have rebuilt the morale of the LNP and BIN in various communities.
It can be recalled that the Japanese Government through UNDP in March this year, turned over several logistics, materials, and equipment to the LNP and BIN in continuation of enhancing border surveillance in Liberia.
The items worth over US$628,000 dollars included 160 motorbikes, 2,000 rain gears, eighty public address systems and 200 pieces of infrared thermometers, 18 Land Cruiser jeeps and eight tents, to be used in border counties.
The overall focus of the Enhanced Ebola Border Surveillance Project (EESP) is to strengthen the capacity of security task teams in affected counties and along the borders, to effectively manage the borders of the country, whilst engaging selected EVD affected counties and communities to maintain status quo.
It also seeks to specifically address, among other things, institutional and coordination gaps of BIN and LNP at the county level, especially within border communities that pose as a critical challenge, the fight against the EVD in Liberia and neighboring countries, the release concluded.
LINA PR/TSS/PTK