Monrovia, Liberia - UN Deputy Envoy, Mr. Jordan Ryan has described the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a crucial arm of government in consolidating peace and fostering development in post-war Liberia. The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, with responsibility for Recovery and Governance, was speaking at a ceremony where he handed over the UN-funded newly-rehabilitated offices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to its Minister, Mr. Ambulai Johnson, on the grounds of the Executive Mansion.
Expressing optimism that the Ministry will successfully pursue the extension and consolidation of state authority throughout Liberia, the Deputy UN Envoy observed that, 'the representation of this Ministry throughout Liberia clearly demonstrates its active peace building support towards assisting Liberians develop their country.'
Mr. Ryan, who is also the UNDP Resident Representative in Liberia, assured Minister Johnson of the trust and confidence of the UN in his ministry. He commended the fine collaboration that has led to the rehabilitation of the war-wrecked building, with the UN providing more than US$200,000 for the project. The Internal Affairs Ministry is one of core ministries of the Government of Liberia, with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the County Support Team project, which is the joint UN team approach towards assisting local government administrators to design, coordinate and implement the County Development Agendas at the local level.
Describing the UN as a most trusted and cooperative partner, Minister Johnson said he considered the presentation of the completed building as a support to the government's capacity-building efforts. 'Infrastructure is an essential element of capacity-building because to perform well, one must have a comfortable place to sit, organize, plan and execute,' the Internal Affairs Minister emphasized.
Mr. Johnson thanked the UN family for the support and gave the assurance that the newly-rehabilitated offices will be, 'utilized for the purposes intended as a first step to strengthening our capacity.' The minister added that the newly-rebuilt premises will house the essential staff of the Ministry pending the completion of a second building that would enable all the Ministry's employees to return to work.
The cost of the first phase of the rehabilitation project of the Internal Affairs Ministry is put at US$290,000. Of this amount, the United Nations/UNDP, through the Community-based Recovery and Development, Liberia Decentralization and Local Development, and County Support Team projects contributed US$215,000. The Liberian Government has contributed US$75,000 towards the project. Already, funds have been allocated for the start of the second phase of the Ministry of Internal Affairs rehabilitation project.
Rehabilitation work was supervised by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), while implementation was carried out by the contractor, Concern Technical Group, INC.