MONROVIA, September 11 (LINA) - The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Brigadier General Daniel D. Ziankhan, has reiterated that the intent of the deployment of soldiers at border posts is to help the locals, and not to hurt them.
Brig./Gen. Ziankhan, who headed a high-power military delegation that toured several areas where AFL soldiers are deployed, said the purpose of the two-day tour was to assess the operation status of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in four counties and to get firsthand Ebola updates from county authorities, health workers and locals.
According to a Defense Ministry press release, areas General Ziankhan and delegation toured were the Temor Bridge in Rivercess County, Dolo’s Town in Margibi County, Klay Checkpoint and Tubmanburg in Bomi County and Bo Waterside in Grand Cape Mount County.
He admonished members of the JTF to always cooperate and coordinate their security efforts and operate from a joint perspective to have a holistic effect in achieving the goal of the Commander-in-Chief, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in this Ebola crisis.
General Ziankhan further clarified that the AFL is not in charge, but is part of the JTF, to enhance the work of the police, immigration, drug agency, fire service and national security agency by providing backup when these institutions are overwhelmed.
“Be mindful of the cascading effects of your individual and collective actions on your leaders and the Government of Liberia,” the Army Chief warned personnel of the JTF.
He also admonished the JTF personnel to build good relationship with the locals that will go a very long way.
Also speaking, Deputy Commissioner Robert Budy encouraged members of the JTF to keep up the good work and continue to remain ambassadors in the areas assigned, indicating that the best way to deal with the Ebola virus is to disseminate the facts concerning Ebola to the locals when and where ever possible.
He lauded personnel of the JTF for all the positive reports received about them from County authorities, health workers and the locals and advised them to maintain coordination, collaboration and cooperation at the county, community and security levels.
While in Yakpah Town, Rivercess County, the delegation met with senior county authorities, including the Superintendent, County Police Commander, Chief Medical Officer of Rivercess, Dr. Wilmot Smith and UNMIL Representatives. LINA GDJ/TSS/PTK