Some of the equipment presented to NCCRM by Partners
By: Jonathan O. Grigsby, Snr. Contributor Writer
One of the surest ways that an institution can become more effective in carrying out its statutory mandate in keeping with its vision, mission and core value, is when its human resource capacities are built, and is strongly supported with the necessary pieces of equipment or tools.
It was the scenario on Tuesday, 11 August when the European Union (EU), German Technical Service (GIZ) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) presented assorted equipment and tools to the National Center for the Coordination of Response Mechanism (NCCRM) to enhance the Center’s operations.
The equipment valued Euros 30,000 (approximately USD 35,000) include: one 15KVA Perkins generator, two Jincheng (JC125 GY) motorbikes, five Canon 340 printers, twelve HP laptops, ten hardback office chairs, three office desks and ten mobile tablets.
In his statement before the handing over of the essential equipment, National Center for the Coordination of Response Mechanism (NCCRM) Executive Director, Attorney Arthur Bestman, disclosed that when the current management assured the Center’s leadership in May 2024, the institution was facing significant operational challenges.
Attorney Bestman: “We had very limited mobility, inadequate Information Technology (IT) equipment, and other critical resource constraints that hindered our ability to effectively function”.
He also explained that Tuesday’s ceremony marks the successful conclusion of the process the NCCRM started with partners in May 2024, and the Center is honored and grateful to receive these pieces equipment, which will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of NCCRM.
“These pieces of equipment will enhance our ability to monitor, analyze, and coordinate responses to human security threats, thereby contributing to peace, stability, and resilience in Liberia and across the ECOWAS region”, the NCCRM Executive Director emphasized.
Attorney Bestman noted that partners’ support to the Center is a testament to their good partnership and their desire to promote regional peace, security, and good governance.
Besides, the NCCRM Boss expressed the institution’s sincere gratitude to the European Union (EU), German Technical Service (GIZ) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for their commitment to strengthen Liberia’s early warming and response architecture as NCCRM looks forward to a productive mission and strong collaboration in the years ahead.
Taking the stage, was Dr. Nat B. Walker, the Political Advisor and Early Warming Liaison Officer, ECOWAS Mission in Liberia, said strengthening of NCCRM is significant to effective conflict prevention begins with the ability to identify emerging risks early, analyses them accurately, effective share information, and coordinate timely responses.
“These capacities are essential to preventing localized tensions and emerging threats from developing into broader crises. The NCCRM has an important role to play in Liberia’s national peace and security architecture. As an early warning and response coordination mechanism, it provides an important bridge between information, analysis and action. Its effectiveness therefore contributes not only to national stability, but also to the broader regional peace and security architecture of ECOWAS”, Dr. Walker noted.
He said this occasion also reminds us that peace and security are shared responsibilities, and no single institution or partner can address today’s complex security and governance challenges alone.
Dr. Walker stated that is why the collaboration among the European Union, GIZ, ECOWAS and the Liberian Government demonstrates the value of sustained international and regional partnerships in strengthening national institutions and building resilient societies.
Marking remarks on half of the partners, EU, German Embassy and Denmark, the Head of Component SSRG and WYPS at the GIZ-implemented EPSG Project, Enobong Moma said the event represents far more than the delivery of equipment.
Madam Moma said it is an investment in Liberia’s capacity to prevent conflict before it escalates and to strengthen the operational readiness of the NCCRM, as partners are enhancing the country’s ability to identify emerging risks, coordinate timely responses, and reinforce a more resilient national peace and security architecture.
She added: “We commend the Government of Liberia and the NCCRM for their continued leadership in strengthening national conflict prevention mechanisms. Since its establishment, the Centre has become an important platform for translating early warning information into coordinated action by bringing together government institutions and other key stakeholders”.
Madam Moma believes the equipment will improve the NCCRM’s analytical, coordination, communication, information management, and operational capacities, enabling it to fulfil its mandate more effectively while strengthening collaboration with national, regional, and international partners.
She than spoke of Germany, the European Union,and Denmark, remain committed to working alongside the Government of Liberia, ECOWAS, and other partners to advance shared vision of a peaceful, secure, and prosperous West Africa; through a sustained partnership and stronger institutions, to ensure that early warning consistently leads to timely and effective early action.
