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Border Security Lacks Essentials: Defense Minister Expresses Concern

The Inquirer (Monrovia)
NEWS
December 11, 2006
Posted to the web December 12, 2006

By Charles Crawford
Monrovia
The lack of logistics, uniform and other needed equipment has rendered security
officers assigned at various border points of the country incapable and
inefficient to properly man the entry points.
According to our reporter who accompanied a high-powered delegation from the
Ministry of National Defense headed by Minister Brownie J. Samukai, Jr. on a
five-day assessment tour in three counties, Bong, Nimba and Grand Gedeh,
Immigration, Police, Customs along with other security officers working at the
country's border points with Guinea and Ivory Coast complained about the lack
of: communication, mobile, uniform, stationeries, office space, housing,
adequate staff, etc.
The officers lamented that the lack of logistical support coupled with other
impediments has made them vulnerable in combating crimes at the borders and the
cracking down of the illegal entry of foreigners into the country.
At the Lougatuo Border in Nimba County, the joint security there spoke of
having a cordial relationship with rebels on the Ivorian side of the border,
adding that there was no sign of insecurity at that part of the country.
"All is well here at the Luogatuo border. So far, the only problem here is the
damage of the bridge linking Liberia with Ivory Coast. The damage done to the
bridge has a negative impact on the economic activity at this border,"
Immigration officer Simley Zambo noted.
According to Custom Collector, Martin Jallah, in the past, the government
generated in revenue about US$75,000 per month, but the damage done to the
bridge has greatly hampered the revenue generation now; stressing the need for
a quick rehabilitation of the bridge. Due to the lack of vehicles, Mr. Jallah
stated that revenue collected at the border is transported to Monrovia by means
of commercial vehicles, something Minister Samukai described as very unsafe.
Still in Nimba County, the Statutory Superintendent of Zoe-Geh District, Mr.
Albert M. Fangar, told the Defense delegation in Buutuo Town, the birth place
of Liberia's 14 years of civil war, that there are 12 illegal entry points in
the district; calling on the central government to move quickly in taking
complete control of the illegal entry points.
All of the border points-Ganta, Yekapa, Luogatuo, Boplay, Buutuo, in Nimba
County and Toe's Town in Grand Gedeh County visited by the delegation, the
joint security team spoke of the same logistical problems and the cordial
relationship between they and UNMIL and their counterparts at the Guinean and
Ivory Coast side of the borders. They also dispelled the notion of insecurity
at the various entry points.
As for the joint security team in Bong County, they spoke of the urgent need
for government to relocate the gates from Balatuah to Banafana, and the Iron
gate situated on the outskirt of Gbarnga City to Danville, about one mile away
from Gbarnga. Reason being that criminals and some traders from Guinea were in
the constant habit of bypassing the gates in Balatuah and Gbarnga.
Responding to the problems, Defense Minister Samukai paid homage to the
security officers for the sacrificial job they were doing at the various
borders amidst logistical constraints; stressing the need for the officers to
maintain the cordial and friendly ties that exit between Liberia and her
neighbors-Guinea and Ivory Coast.
Mr. Samukai told the security officers that he and his entourage were visiting
the borders to assess the situation there. "Based on the mandate from President
Sirleaf for cabinet ministers to visit the rural areas in order to acquaint
themselves with the plight of the people; we have come to see and to hear from
you and to also know what is happening at your control area.
The government is very much concerned about the borders with its neighbors and
that's why we have come to see you and take to Monrovia your message."
The Defense boss also used the opportunity to laud UNMIL for preserving the
peace in Bong, Nimba and Grand Gedeh and other parts of the country.
According to Mr. Samukai, the Defense Ministry's delegation regrets the
problems confronting the security officers and recognizes the need for Custom,
Police and Immigration assigned at the borders to be fully uniformed and
provided the necessary support that are needed to properly discharge their
functions.
He promised to fully brief President Sirleaf and his cabinet colleagues about
the developments at the borders. The delegation also toured military barracks
in the three counties. Following the successful five-day tour, Mr. Samukai and
delegation returned to the nation's capital on Saturday.


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