PHOTO: Maxwell Grigsby, head of Small Arms Comm (Left) and Prince Vincent, Deputy Defense Min (Right)
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The Ministry of National Defense has observed that proliferation of illegal weapons in the hands of non-state actors continues to threaten Liberia’s peace and security.
The Deputy Defense Minister for Operations, Prince Vincent, said the proliferation in the hands of non-state actors is increasing fear, insecurity and sufferings of the ordinary people.
Minister Vincent made the observation when he delivered the keynote speech marking the destruction of weapons and ammunitions by the Liberia National Commission on Arms at the Edward Beyan Kesselly barracks in the Township of Schiefflin, Margibi County.
Partners and members of the diplomatic corps at the occasion
According to him, if these arms and ammunitions, which are life threatening are not managed properly, may likely lead to the increase of criminal activities in the country.
“Our action here by destroying these weapons,” he went on, “led by the Liberia National Commission on Arms and its partners is in line with the ECOWAS Protocol that was agreed by the West African regional organization through its member-states to control, regulate, manufacture and prohibit the transfer all forms of weapons.”
“This remarkable action is also consistent with the Act that created the Liberia National Commission on Arms,” he said; adding “the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia are delighted by the efforts to destroy weapons and explosives.”
In remarks, the Chairman of the Liberia National Commission on Arms, Attorney Maxwell Grigsby, expressed concern on the importation of large quantity of explosives for commercial use.
According to him, the new mandate gives his commission the power to monitor and supervise the importation of these explosives in the country.
He maintained that the Liberia National Commission on Arms will continue to regulate the possession arms and will not engage in establishing any forces purposely to enforce its mandate.
He thanked the Armed Forces of Liberia for the usage of its personnel, facilities and cooperation with the Liberia National Commission on Arms
Chairman Grigsby also commended the Liberia National Police, the Liberia Immigration Service and the Supreme Court of Liberia for its directive to all courts to turn all weapons in its custody throughout the country to the commission.
Chief Zarzar Kawor, Amb. Juee Ande and others
Also remarking at the program, the Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program, Louis Kuukpen, noted that the priority that identifies in the Pro Poor Agenda for Development is the sustenance of peace and security as articulated underpins Liberia’s quest to thrive in a peaceful and stable environment as opposed to the awful experiences of the dark years of war.
According to him , the UNDP is therefore happy to support the Liberian government in its arms control effort including capacity building for the Liberia National Commission on Arms and other state secuerity partners to control the trafficking , illicit trade, circulation and misuse of illicit arms and weapons.
Kuukpen: “ it has been affirmed that the misuse , illicit transfer and destabilizing accumulation of small arms and light weapons and their ammunitions ramian a defining factor in undermining peace and security at national . regional and global levels and in most instances have deeply aggravated situations for vunerable populations already suffering from conflict.”
The ceremony was graced by Presidential Advisor on Secuiruty , Jeferson Karmoh, Solicitor General-designate, Nyanati Tuan , members of the diplomatic corps and partners
The destruction of the arms, weapons and expl,osives, which will last three days was sponsored by the Uniteed Nations Developmenrt Program, the European Union, the West African regional organization, ECOWAS , the African Union, and Germanya mong others.