The Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone has made another move that promotes cooperation with the local law enforcement agency, donating a total of five motorcycles to the Criminal Investigations Department to aid the China Desks operated by the department nationwide.
The handing-over ceremony, which took place in Freetown on December 11, is significant not only because of the hand-over of the vehicles but also because of the collective gesture to address real challenges that investigators face, particularly in accessing some communities in rural areas where the condition of the roads is bad. Every motorcycle is allocated to one of the fiveCID China Desks that are stationed across the country.
In his address during the ceremony, the Head of the Criminal Investigations Department, Mr. Allieu Jalloh, thanked the Chinese Embassy for what he called consistent support. Mr. Jalloh emphasized that the presence of the motorcycles would make a big impact on how quickly the officers are able to respond to cases, especially involving Chinese nationals and businesses that operate in difficult-to-reach areas.
In the opinion of Jalloh, increased mobility translates into faster investigative work, improved coordination, and improved public safety for Sierra Leoneans, as well as international communities.
The Chinese Embassy representatives, on the other hand, praised the contributions made by the CID China Desk since its inception. The two parties recognized the contributions made by the China Desk in dealing with delicate issues concerning Chinese nationals, as well as creating a sense of comfort and security among the people of China living in Sierra Leone. This collaboration has strengthened the long-standing friendship between China and Sierra Leone, the embassy said.
Read Also: “Funds for festivals. No funds for school subsidies” – Basita Michael
The embassy has clarified that the donation has been made with full understanding of the challenges that the CID officers face on a daily basis, particularly the need to move speedily on rough terrain. In this regard, the embassy has stated that it hopes to facilitate a safe environment for Chinese nationals by contributing to the efficiency of law enforcement. This came as the ceremony ended, with the Chinese Embassy urging the CID China Desk to continue working on its mandate, leveraging the capacity that it has created to promote a culture of safety, cooperation, and mutual respect. The donation, according to the embassy, is a small gesture that is significant in ensuring that the relationship that exists between China and Sierra Leone is one that yields positive results on the ground.
