PHOTO: Amb. McCarthy and Defense officials at the presentation ceremony
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The United States government has spent over three million US dollars on the development of Liberia’s Coast Guard Unit of the Armed Forces of Liberia, since it was reactivated, US Ambassador Michael McCarthy has disclosed in Monrovia.
Amb. McCarthy made the disclosure on Thursday, June 17, 2020 at the Coast Guard Base on Bushrod Island, when he donated a large consignment of maritime equipment value over US$100,000.00 to the Coast Guard to enhance its operational capacity on behalf of his government.
The American diplomat said the three million dollars was spent on the development of the necessary Coast Guard infrastructures at the Coast Guard Base in Monrovia and at the Port of Buchanan.
The items donated include five 40 horse-power mercury engines and assorted spare parts for the Liberia Coast Guard Operational boats.
Some of the maritime equipment donated by the US
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the US Ambassador said the donation is intended to increase the operational readiness of the Liberian Coast Guard.
According to him, the post-war Liberian Coast Guard Unit of the Armed Forces of Liberia was activated in 2010 based on a 2007 agreement between the US and the Liberian government to develop a specialized unit within the AFL to provide maritime security for the Government and people of Liberia.
The US Ambassador asserted that the US has also provided several training opportunities for personnel of the Liberian Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of Liberia, adding that the US government remains supportive of the activities and professional development of the AFL and the Liberian Coast Guard.
But the US Ambassador called on the Liberian authorities to reciprocate by maintaining the equipment and provide the necessary funding to this sector.
Receiving the donation on behalf the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia, the Deputy Minister for Operations, Prince Vincent praised the US Government for its continual support to the Ministry of National Defense and the AFL over the years in the areas of trainings, equipping and mentoring that have strengthened the professionalism of the personnel of the AFL and staffers of the ministry.
He maintained that the Liberian government and the people remain grateful to the people and the government of the United States for the unwavering goodwill.
The Deputy Defense Minister for Operations used the occasion to appeal to the United States government to provide more training opportunities for personnel of central administration and the AFL
Mr. Vincent said he looked forward to re-energizing all of the programs within the defense sector for the benefit of the AFL and staffers of the Ministry of National Defense.
With the growing wave of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, the donation will enhance Liberia Coast Guard capability in responding to illegal activities on the Liberia’s territorial waters.