September 24, 2021
Albert Baron Ansu
Minister of Internal Affairs David Panda Noah has reassured that there is no looming security threat in the country based on the level of coordination that has been instituted by the government of President Julius Maada Bio in conformance with the ruling party’s manifesto. In an exclusive interview with A-Z Newspaper, the Minister confirmed that the maximum correctional center at Pademba road is going to be relocated to Song village adding that the land has been acquired and work is in progress to actualize the plan.
He said there are system instituted at correctional centers to work on the minds and psychology of prison inmates sp that when they are released they will are now going to be changed persons to contribute to society.
The Internal Affairs Ministry is constitutionally mandated to provide supervision for the Police, the correctional services, the small arms unit, the office of National Security, the Immigrations department, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, among security apparatus.
Minister Panda Noah said he is routinely doing cabinet papers for these various ministries all geared towards the consolidation of the fragile peace. He said with the level of coordination there is drastic drop in crime such as armed robbery. He expressed confidence in the fact there are better than bad people in the country and attributes improved security to the proactiveness and support of the good citizens in providing intelligence to unearth crimes.
Asked about the rationale of the new political ranking system that has been introduced, the minister said it is in keeping with the ruling party’s manifesto to make the Police and other regimental forces apolitical by motivating personal to grow and have better take home packages. He disclosed that because of the relative post war Police that was created ranks were not opened up and officers got stuck with little or less opportunities to be promoted.
Minister Panda Noah argued that the youth are crucial to upholding national security which explains why they have been engaging with youth driven projects and program to ensure that programs are created to empower youths to be self-motivated rather than being used as tools to foment violence and involve in crimes
A-X gathered that recently the Internal Affairs Ministry organized a football game for cliques who have been noted for crime and violence as part of the process of working on the mindset to change for the better.
He added that land is one of the contentious issues that the country has been grappling with and they have been engaging the sector to respond to and address tensions by working on and instituting conflict sensitive systems and mechanisms that will stand the test of time.
Minister Panda Noah cautioned those using cars with covered license plates or without license plates are posing gave security concerns and would be apprehended and prosecuted. He sent out the same note of warning to other traffic violators, okada riders violating restrictions place on riding in the commercial business district to take heed that penal measures can be instituted against them. The Minister raised concern about street trading which has implication of creating a lot of problem for national growth and stability.
Minister Noah regards himself as a man with profound love for the country albeit with a high sense of discipline.
Prior to his political life, the minister had a stint in both America and UK big corporation. He implored all Sierra Leoneans to be law abiding and use social media responsibly by processing information from fake news.