By Mohamed M. Sesay
As part of the 2023 elections Preparedness from the New Direction Government in ensuring that mobility support is provided to the Sierra Leone Police for an effective policing of the forthcoming general election, the Director of Operations, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Lawyer Mohamed Brima Jah, has on Friday the 20th of January 2023, handed over seven (7) operational vehicles to Motema, Tankoro, Kambia, Mongo, Bonthe, Makeni and Kenema Police Divisions respectively.
AIG Brima Jah also disclosed that the government has procured five boats which would be used for police officers to implement robust security alertness across the riverine areas.
In his Handing overstatement, AIG Brima Jah stated that during a national security assessment tour at Police Divisions and stations, they unearthed that the most dominant and pressing need among police personnel was mobility to enhance effective operations.
He added that the aforementioned needs were relayed to the government through the Inspector General of Police Mr.William Fayia Sellu.
“Today, we are here to let the public know that amidst competing development needs, President Bio led government prioritizes the security sector, thus the short but very important ceremony marked the official handing over of these vehicles to 7 Divisions as a capacity building for their operations, especially during June 24 multi-tier elections,” said Lawyer Jah.
AIG Brima Jah continued that because the Bio Administration prioritizes the security sector, for the first time in history, the SLP through funding from the government has procured five (5) boats for sea operations. The boats he said would arrive with an additional twenty (20) trucks.
He furthered that under the leadership of Mr.William Fayia Sellu, a lot has been done for the SLP which he said was a result of competent administrative knowledge.
He, therefore, pleaded with the public to take ownership of the vehicles adding that, the destruction of Police properties also affects the very citizens due to the delay or slow response to public demand. For police officers’ tasks with the handling of the vehicles, he also sent a strongly worded warning that punitive measures would be instituted for any misuse.
He thereby concluded by assuring the government and taxpayers that the vehicles would be used for their intended purposes.