By Patrick Tokpah
(Bong contributor)
The Government of Liberia has turned over two brand new Toyota Hilux pickups to the Gbarnga Regional Hub in Bong County.
The Hub was established and dedicated in February 2012 as a pilot of five Hubs to provide justice and security services, confidence patrol, respond to incidents of civil disturbances, surveillance patrols, and legal services in the region.
Presenting the Pickups to the Management of the Gbarnga Regional Hub on Thursday, January 19, 2023, the Minister of Justice, Cllr Frank Musa Dean stated that the vehicles will be used solely for Security operations in the three hub counties; Bong, Nimba, and Lofa.
Cllr Dean further stated that Security officers are the first responders in the country and as such, they need to be empowered in order to augment their workings in Liberia.
He further stressed the need for the maintenance of the vehicles; thereby calling on the management of the Hub to use the vehicles for the purpose intended.
He further described the donation as a fulfillment of a promise made by the Weah-led government to continue to support and take ownership of projects that recognize the need to decentralize justice and security services regionally.
He said it is prudent for security entities in the country to have the necessary logistics and dwelling to be effective in delivering services.
”We believe that providing continuous support to the security sector through the Rule of Law Program, will assist in building and enhancing access to Justice and improve service delivery to rural inhabitants,” the Attorney General stated.
“Our President believes that the attainment of a genuine and cohesive society is not only fundamental to achieving sustainable peace, but it also supports the achievement of our flagship development drive, the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), which goal is to lift the poor and vulnerable out of poverty through a just and reliable security for all Liberians and foreign residents,” Minister Dean noted.
Minister Dean at the same time extended thanks to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Judiciary, Hub Manager, BCR, LNP and LIS personnel, and the Planning and Program Management Unit for coordinating the affairs of the Regional Hub.
He further pledged the commitment of the government to improving the Justice System and affording every citizen equitable access as well as assuring human rights protection for all in Liberia.
Receiving the vehicles on behalf of the Gbarnga Regional Hub, Tokpah Gower, Manager of the facility thanked the Liberian government for the donation of the vehicles and further promised to use the vehicles for the intended purpose.
He further said the vehicles donated will enhance the operation of the security sector of the region in the country.