Minister Konneh Reaffirms GoL Plans To Provide the Needed Security in the Wake of UNMIL Drawdown

Finance and Development Planning Minister, Amara Konneh says, the Government of Liberia (GoL) is making all efforts to take full responsibility of national security in the wake of UNMIL drawdown.

Minister Konneh says, the Government of Liberia is currently transforming the UNMIL base in Foya District, Lofa County to a modern National Training Center for the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization in preparation of the UNMIL drawdown.

According to a Ministry of Finance and Development Planning press release, Minister Konneh made the statement at the weekend when he delivered the keynote address during program marking the joint graduation of over 300 officers of the BIN and the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) at the Senji Training Site (Camp Biago) in Grand Cape Mount County.

Minister Konneh indicated that the security sector has a key role to play if Liberia is to achieve economic development.

He stressed the importance of security to the economic development and growth of the country.
He applauded the 54th National Legislature for allotting US$20M in the FY2015/2016 National Budget for the government to finance the preparations for the drawdown of UNMIL.

However, he emphasized “US$ 70M is still needed to adequately train and help equip the country’s security sector.”
Minister Konneh declared that, the government of Liberia is expected to train about three thousand (3,000) Immigration officers and double the size of the officers of the Liberia National Service (LNFS) in preparation of the GoL taking full responsibility of her own security in the wake of UNMIL drawdown.

Commending the BIN for contributing to the economic recovery program of Liberia Minister Konneh averred “I am very proud to inform you that the BIN is currently contributing US$3.9M to the country’s revenue.

He reminded the BIN graduates that they are the first point of contact between Liberia, strangers and other Liberians coming in the country.

Speaking further, the Finance and Development Planning Minister stated that the work of fire fighters is sacrificial and lives saving job, which he maintained is beyond money making and income generation.

“To the Fire Service graduates, your job is about being brave. It is for you to see a burning building and go into it and save the life of a young baby, an older person, or a disable which is a great sacrifice. No amount of money can be given you for such a job. We thank you for accepting to join the service of your country,” he indicated.

He disclosed that after many, many years of paying rent, the government of Liberia has finally bought the building that is housing the LNFS head station on Ashmun Street in Monrovia.