On Wednesday 4 December, 2013, UNMIL handed over the Karloken Magistrate’s Court building –- a Quick Impact Project –- to the authorities in Maryland County.

Speaking on the occasion, Resident Judge Nelson Tokpa applauded UNMIL’s promotion of Rule of Law and strengthening of the capacity of the Liberian judiciary. He called on other international organizations in the country to emulate UNMIL.

“This is a clear manifestation that UNMIL is a friend of the Judiciary, working along with it for the promotion of the Rule of Law and its reform in the area of infrastructure development,” said the Resident Judge.

Tokpa said the Court in Karloken had operated for long without a Courthouse making it difficult to function at full capacity. Magistrates had to work at the home of a former Associate Magistrate. He appealed to the Government to allocate funds in the next budget for the construction of courts in each magisterial district.

Speaking for the County Superintendent, Mayor for Harper City Regina Sampson thanked UNMIL for the project, and the people of Karloken for donating land for the court building.

On her part, Maryland HoFO Corinna Vigier highlighted the work of the Quick Impact Projects and urged stakeholders to cooperate and optimally utilize the new court facility.

Just days after the Karloken handover ceremony, UNMIL also dedicated an LNP depot at the Pedebo border crossing in Maryland County. The depot is the first permanent structure for the LNP in the area and was constructed with Quick Impact Project funds.

At the handover function, LNP County commander Amos Dapoh appealed to communities to take full advantage of the depot with a view to promoting law and order in the area.

“We have for long operated in rented quarters but, with the intervention of the UN and other counterparts we now have this facility,” said Dapoh.