Indian Gov’t Hands Over 5 New Fire Trucks

The Government and people of India yesterday officially handed over five new fire trucks to the government and people of Liberia.The colorful ceremony which took place at the Nation Port Authority (NPA) in Monrovia brought together diplomats from both country’s including the Indian Ambassador, Y.K. Sailas Thangal and the Liberian leader, President George M. Weah including other officials of his government.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony on behalf of the Government of Liberia, the Minister of State, Nathaniel McGill, lauded the Government and people of India for the gesture, adding that the gifts manifest the strong bilateral relations between the both countries.
According to Minister McGill, for so long the country continues to suffer from series of serious fire disasters due to the limited fire trucks as well as the movement of citizens from one place to another, emphasizing that both the five fire trucks and 45 buses donated by the Indian government to the country will help to reduce the number of fire outbreaks the country is experiencing and will also help ease the burden citizens go through in getting to their various destinations.
He added that the country, under the leadership of President Weah, has received five new fire trucks in just two years which demonstrates his willingness to transform the country within his six years presidency, indicating “When I informed the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) about the trucks, many doubted it; but I do not speak because I want to but it is by direct instructions from the President.”
Meanwhile, Minister McGill used the occasion to remind the Indian government about the conference hall to be constructed on the Bali Island and the Bali Island bridge that will connect the country’s capital, stressing “We are still looking up to India for this project and hope that it will start this year; as this project is the heartbeat of the President.”
Earlier, the Indian Ambassador, Mr. Thangal said that the handling over ceremony was a historic occasion for both Liberia and India and as it manifested by the countries’ bilateral relations that had been existing for several years.
Ambassador Thangal further urged the LNFS and the NTA bosses to make used of the trainer from Switzerland who according to him is in the country to empower Liberians especially users of the equipment to ensure proper maintenance of both the fire trucks and buses, with assurances there are more spare parts available in country.
“As the bilateral relations between both countries continue to grow stronger, we foresee more fruits coming into Liberia,” he stated.
The Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) Director, Alex K. Dickson, said since the independence of the country till present, the country has never received two fire trucks together and that the five fire trucks received in two years of President Weah’s tenure demonstrates his willingness to prioritize the LNFS.
Col. Dickson indicated that when President Weah took over, the first fire truck received was one bearing the nomenclature; Clar One, adding “Within just two years, we have received additional five trucks that sums up to six fire trucks to smoothly carry on our function as fire fighters.”