Less than two years after UNMIL reached out to Grand Cess in Grand Kru County, building a magisterial courthouse for the town, local authorities were again all smiles last month, as they received yet another building from the Mission to house the local police station.

The well furnished LNP station has a water hand pump and was built as part of the Quick Impact Projects (QIP). It was, in fact, one of several QIPs long abandoned by unscrupulous contractors, before being resuscitated.

Turning over the keys of the nine-room building to the County Superintendent in Grand Cess, Grand Kru County HoFO Mohammed Rashid Iraqi stressed the need for Liberian security authorities to step forward and take charge of the security in the county as UNMIL gradually draws down on its operations.

On her part, Grand Kru County Superintendent Elizabeth N. Dempster applauded UNMIL’s resolve to complete the project. She also expressed the hope that the Mission won’t give up on the other abandoned QIPs in the area. They include an LNP depot in Buah district and a BIN office in Sasstown.

At the handover ceremony, local LNP Commander Regina K Sando acknowledged support received from UN Police in Grand Kru. She said LNP officers would be assigned to the new station in Grand Cess without delay.

Also speaking at the function, County Attorney Daniel T Dweh expressed deep appreciation for efforts by UNMIL to improve the capacity of Liberia’s national institutions. Dweh said the resolve to complete the LNP building demonstrates the importance UNMIL and the authorities in Liberia attach to public security.

Praise for the project also came from other local authorities, including traditional leaders, women’s representatives and court officials.

It was upon the recommendation of the UN Field Office in Barclayville, that UNMIL reallocated funds and a new contractor was hired to finish the project.  It was completed within a month.