UN SUPPORTS LIBERIAN SECURITY FORCES WITH NEW TRAINING FACILITY

The handing over of new training facilities to the Liberian National Police (LNP) signals a boost in efforts to achieve a fully-functional democratic security force in the West African nation, said the top United Nations envoy to Liberia.

Ellen Margrethe Løj, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Liberia, said it was a particularly satisfying occasion as the UN worked closely with the LNP for several months on its strategic plan, which prioritizes significant changes in human resources and training, administration, and operational effectiveness and efficiency.

Speaking at the handover ceremony of the seven-classroom building at the LNP Academy in Paynesville, Monrovia on 20 June, Ms. Løj voiced appreciation to the Netherlands for supporting LNP programmes with a large chunk of its close to $2 million donation going towards the construction of the building.

In addition, Ms. Løj, who also heads the UN Mission on Liberia, underscored the need to recruit more women to the LNP to create some much needed trust among the country's population, and contribute to a well run police force.

The completion and handover of the building was a significant development ahead of a donors' meeting organized by the LNP and UN Police for this week, UNMIL said in a news release.
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