By: Haja Hawa Koroma
On Tuesday 12th July 2022, a team from the Chinese Embassy, headed by Ambassador Li Xiaoyong donated media gadgets like Video cameras, Power banks, and Digital recorders to the media wing of the Sierra Leone Police at the Police Headquarters.
During the handing over of the items, the Chinese Ambassador Li Xiaoyong, disclosed that this donation was due to a request made by the Inspector General of Police, Ambrose Michael Sovula, for the People’s Republic of China to help capacitate the media unit of the SLP.
The Embassy then forwarded his request to the Foreign Affairs Ministry in China and it was approved.
The items he requested were then sent from China to be delivered to the SLP and these items were handed over to the SLP on the above date.
The Ambassador further stated that China and Sierra Leone have been true friends with outstanding win-win cooperation. He, therefore, assured the police of their utmost support whenever the need arises.
In his response, the Inspector General of Police, Ambrose Sovula, appreciated the Chinese Embassy for honoring his request to make the media unit a more effective force.
He also pleaded with the Chinese Embassy to consider the training for personnel, infrastructural development and the Police Wives Association which he said was offering vocational training courses for wives of officers.
IGP Sovula also informed the team that the SLP has already established a desk at the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters that is tasked to look into matters that involve Chinese Nationals.
He added that Sierra Leone is a secure and peaceful country which is conducive to investment but does not have a tolerance for illegal businesses that will deprive the Government of the tax it needs. And therefore encourages Chinese Nationals to be their brother’s keeper and desist from backstabbing each other in the line of business.
The IGP concluded his statement by assuring the People’s Republic of China that the items donated would be used judiciously.
