The landmark project was spearheaded and solely funded by the Chairman of the Kambia District LPPB, Mr Abu Bakar Sumah, in recognition of the importance of community policing and fostering partnerships.
The event was attended by police personnel, traditional authorities, community stakeholders, security sector representatives, and residents from across the district. They gathered to warmly welcome the IGP and his wife. Upon his arrival, the IGP was accorded a Quarter Guard mounted by personnel of the Kambia Police Division in his honour.
In his welcome address, the Paramount Chief of Gbileh Chiefdom, PC Alhaji Alusine Sankoh Sorie Yillah II, commended the visit of the IGP and his wife, and provided an update on the security situation within the district. He highlighted the prevailing peace and stability in Kambia and praised the strong collaboration between Sierra Leonean security agencies and their Guinean counterparts at the district’s two major border crossings.
The Paramount Chief assured the IGP that effective security measures remain in place to uphold law and order throughout the district.
Delivering his keynote speech, IGP William Fayia Sellu expressed profound gratitude to Mr Abu Bakar Sumah and the LPPB for their outstanding commitment to community development and police support. He reaffirmed his dedication to strengthening the operations of the LPPB and enhancing the functionality of the newly established facility.
The IGP emphasised that effective policing necessitates strong partnerships between the police and local communities. He encouraged community stakeholders, particularly young people, to actively share information with the police and support crime prevention initiatives. He noted that the number of police officers is not proportionate to the population they serve.
Drawing on his 33 years of policing experience, the Inspector General stated that he had never witnessed such a remarkable LPPB contribution to policing infrastructure. He commended Mr Sumah’s dedication and applauded the support of community members in assisting the police to combat crime, which he noted has significantly declined in Kambia District.
He further urged all LPPB members to remain vigilant, monitor activities within their communities closely, and report any suspicious behaviour promptly for swift intervention. He also encouraged stakeholders to ensure the facility is used effectively as a centre for community engagement, security coordination, and development initiatives.
In recognition of the Chairman’s exceptional contribution, the IGP pledged substantial support to the facility, including a new decoder with a six-month subscription, a 65-inch smart television, ten motorbikes, and three desktop computers for the offices within the building. He noted that these contributions would strengthen the operational capacity of the LPPB and further promote community policing across the district.
Adding to the support, the President of the Police Wives Association, Mrs Matilda Doris Sellu, pledged to provide a solar-powered borehole to improve water supply at both the police barracks and the new facility. She also committed to donating a modern public address system to enhance communication and operational effectiveness within the hall.
The Regional Police Commander for the North-West Region, AIG Joseph Lahai expressed gratitude to Mr Sumah and the LPPB for their visionary leadership and urged police personnel to maintain and safeguard the facility properly. He appealed to community stakeholders to support law enforcement efforts in tackling the growing threat posed by harmful drugs, particularly Kush, Tramadol, and Cannabis Sativa.
The Local Unit Commander (LUC) of Kambia Division also delivered remarks, outlining the intended uses of the multipurpose hall and emphasising the importance of community policing, peace building, and collective responsibility in addressing crime and maintaining security across the district.
Representatives of various security agencies, local authorities, and community groups praised the initiative and pledged their continued support to the police through effective coordination, cooperation, and information-sharing on security matters.
The ceremony concluded with a symbolic ribbon-cutting led by the IGP, Mr Abu Bakar Sumah, and other distinguished guests. This was followed by a tour of the newly constructed building, marking the beginning of what many described as a new chapter in community policing and partnership-building in Kambia District.
SLP Media Team