The United States government has donated a huge consignment of equipment, valued over US$113,000, to the Liberia Coast Guard to enhance its operational capacity. The items donated include five 40-Horsepower Mercury engines and assorted spare parts for the Coast Guard’s operational boats.
Making the donation on Thursday, June 17, 2021, the United States Ambassador accredited to Monrovia, H.E. Michael A. McCarthy, said the donation is intended to increase the operational readiness of the Liberian Coast Guard.
According to him, the postwar Liberian Coast Guard Unit of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) was activated in 2010 based on a 2007 agreement between the US government and the Government of Liberia (GOL) to develop a specialized unit within the AFL to provide maritime security for the government and people of Liberia.
Ambassador McCarthy noted that, since the activation of the Coast Guard Unit of the AFL, the United States government has spent over US$3 millionon the development of the necessary infrastructures at the Coast Guard Base and at the Port of Buchanan.
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.
Receiving the donation on behalf the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia, the Deputy Minister for Operation, Prince K. Vincent, praised the US government for its continued support to the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia over the years in the areas of trainings, equipping and mentoring, which have strengthened the professionalism of the personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia and staffers of the Ministry of National Defense. He said the government and the people of Liberia remain grateful to the people and the government of the United States for the unwavering goodwill.
The Deputy Defense boss used the occasion to appeal to the government of the United States to provide more training opportunities for personnel of Central Administration and the Armed Forces of Liberia. He said he looks forward to re-energizing all 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 Liberia’s territorial waters,” a Ministry of Defense release noted.