The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) through World Food Programme (WFP) on Thursday 9th September, 2021 donated brand new Vehicle Spare Parts to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) at its Joint Logistics Unit, Murray Town in Freetown.
The gesture aimed at cementing an exceptional working relation with the military over the years, especially in responding to disaster occurrences across the country.
Since the establishment of NDMA in 2020, RSLAF has been supporting the Agency on disaster responses by availing their ATUGO Vehicles to transport food and non-food items to disaster locations across Sierra Leone.
This excellent working relation has been possible due to the impeccable leadership of NDMA’s Director-General, Lit. Brig. (Rtd) Brima Sesay, who has been extremely useful in getting RSLAF to always responding to NDMA’s call by providing vehicles and using their stores as warehouses in preparing for disaster responses nationwide.
In his opening remarks, NDMA’s Chief of Corporate Services, Kai Banya, who doubled as Chairman of the occasion, started by expressing his profound appreciation to the RSLAF for what he described as their “resolute and unswerving” support to the NDMA since its inception.
He said he could recall when NDMA’s attention was drawn to a lopsided vehicle which was posing serious threat to residents along Hill Cut Road. “It was only RSLAF that responded in a timely manner to remove the said vehicle from the ditch”, he said. Chief Banya lured the RSLAF to continue supporting NDMA to efficiently carry out its mandate.
Deputy Country Director, World Food Programme, Yvonne Forsen, while addressing the audience said she was delighted to note the seamless working relation that has existed between NDMA and RSLAF in managing disasters in Sierra Leone.
She pointed out that the spare parts were initially donated to NDMA by WFP, but unfortunately, NDMA does not have such vehicles for the spares. She however pledged WFP’s continued commitment to supporting NDMA in disaster management.
Director-General, NDMA, Lit. Gen. (Rtd) Brima Sesay, started by acknowledging the tremendous support the Agency has been getting from RSLAF especially in providing their vehicles and storage facilities in helping NDMA prepare and respond to disaster across the country.
“These spare parts were donated to us by WFP, but because we don’t have such vehicles, for now, it’s been agreed in our management meeting that we equally donate them to the Republic of Sierra Leone Arm Forces in recognizing and appreciating their support to us to adequately respond to disasters. So we are happy to donate the spares to RSLAF because they have the vehicles (ATUGO) that match the spares”, the DG noted.
A representative from the Office of Chief of Defence Staff, Brig. Gen. A. B Jalloh, appreciated the donation, saying that RSLAF’s support to NDMA to manage disasters in the country has always been there.
“Our support to NDMA is always intact; we’ll use these spares judiciously, service our vehicles and get them ready to support the work of the Agency. For NDMA to think of donating these spares means they appreciate our support to them over the years. Let me assure you of our continued support and collaboration in the management of disasters”, he added.
A handing over note and partnership agreement was signed by both institutions to strengthen deeper collaboration in preparing and responding to disasters across the country.
Commander, Joint Logistics Unit, Colonel S.S. Massaquoi, thanked those present and appreciated NDMA and WFP for the kind gesture. He promised to do due diligence to the donated spare parts and pledged to continue supporting NDMA with the availability of RSLAF’s vehicles to respond to emergencies.
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Directorate of Communications
National Disaster Management Agency
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