Liberia’s state security, mainly the police, has assured investors of the protection and safety of their investment, in conformity with the law of the land, without exception to any particular group or selected foreign nationals doing business within the country’s borders.
It said it shall do everything possible to create a friendly atmosphere for the protection and safety of all businesses in the country, not only limited to a particular group of investors like the Chinese, but all, for the growth and development of Liberia, which rests solely with law and order, which is paramount to peace and security.
Police Director, Patrick Sudue, made these comments on behalf of the country’s state security sector during a whole day affair security dialogue between the Chinese Enterprises or business community and the Liberia National Police, held at the Chinese Embassy last Friday, September 1, in Monrovia.
He said, among many things, that the police and other security apparatus of the country shall continue to provide protection and safety of investors’ investments, including companies and entrepreneurs, because these institutions continue to contribute to the growth and development of the country from taxes they pay, as well as employment opportunities provided to the locals.
Sudue assured the Chinese investors or community in the country, and others for that matter, of the protection and safety of their businesses, likewise themselves by state security, including the police, because without law and order as well as tranquility in any society, the prospect of businesses could be low.
On the relationship between China and Liberia for the past 20 years, the Police Chief said this year marks a significant milestone for Liberia, because it marks 20 years since peace was brokered by the international community, led by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2003 in Accra, Ghana.
With this, he continued: “Liberia applauds China for its contribution and that such relationship will continue to be strengthened in both countries’ interests. China has assisted Liberia in countless ways, including the training opportunities being provided to men and women of the police, in the areas of capacity building and many more.”
Sudue indicated that those opportunities came about as a result of the numerous meetings he had with the Chinese Embassy officials, including the ambassador, for the need to have the police assisted, and those meetings have been rewarding because since then, their output has been significant to the growth and development of the police services.
In an earlier statement on behalf of the Chinese Government, Fan Erwei, Charge D’Affaires, recounted and called for the continued strengthening of Liberia and China’s cooperation, which is now 20 years this year, since both nations re-established diplomatic ties in 2003.
He said the ultimate objective of the security dialogue was to ensure the safety and security of Chinese enterprises or businesses, so as to continue to contribute towards the socio-economic growth and development of Liberia.
He reiterated the Police Chief’s statement that there cannot be development without security, if not, everything shall be fragile, and this is why this year’s recommendation made by the police for 25 officers to go to China for another training, has been approved.
Erwei pointed out that at the moment, Chinese enterprises are one of the few active investment in the socio-economic development of Liberia and have brought employment opportunities to the country, stating that the objective of the dialogue is finding solution to the numerous security problems facing the Chinese investors in the country.
He said the dialogue conference was intended to find lasting solutions to the numerous problems being faced by the Chinese companies and enterprises, when it comes to security matters in the country, and an effort to ensure a safe environment for Chinese investors.
The conference brought together several Chinese investors and companies operating in the country.
