On Saturday, July 20, 2024, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Retired Major General David T. O. Taluva, accompanied by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. William Fayia Sellu and other government officials officially commissioned a state-of-the-art police station in Mattru Jong, Bonthe District, in Southern Sierra Leone.

In his address, Minister Taluva, representing President Julius Maada Bio, emphasized that the initiative was born out of the president’s desire to improve service delivery, stating that any country with poor policing ethics would reflect negatively on the government.

The minister also announced plans to have a well-established police college, with discussions underway to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rwanda Police College to assist the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) in achieving this goal, which, he said, will be a significant legacy of President Bio.

Taluva noted that the MoU would have been signed earlier but for the recent general elections in Rwanda. He, however, noted that the agreement will be finalized soon, as President Bio is keen on the partnership.

Furthermore, Taluva revealed that the SLP will collaborate with the University of Sierra Leone for lectures instead of sending police officers abroad for courses, which will empower them with knowledge for effective and sufficient service delivery in the country.

The new police station is the largest and most modern in the country, according to IGP Fayia Sellu. He stated that the station was built to provide an enabling working environment, as per President Bio’s vision, which aims to improve service delivery.

Sellu emphasized that when personnel work in a pleasant environment, they become more motivated to deliver better services. He cautioned police personnel occupying the new building to develop a positive mindset and take good care of the facilities.

The police chief also acknowledged the pleas and requests from Paramount Chiefs and stakeholders about the good recommendations of the Local Unit Commander (LUC) CSP Augustine Kabia and his team, as well as additional deployment of police personnel.

Sellu appreciated the increased numbers of community safety volunteers (CSVs) in the division, noting that this concept was part of the restructuring process aimed at fostering a social contract between the Police and the community.

Regarding accommodations, Sellu asked Paramount Chief Alhaji Alieu Badara III to liaise with the LUC to identify spacious buildings with more rooms that can be used by police personnel for easy access; of which the financial obligations will be addressed by the SLP, he noted.

He encouraged the people of Bonthe District to take ownership of the property, given that spreading police stations across the country will help to increase central government authorities, as this is the vision of President Bio.

IGP Fayia reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting the SLP; stating that few months ago, Kissy Police Division was divided into two police divisions. Grafton is now a division on its own as well as Koindu, he added.

Meaningful contributions were made by indigenes of the district and community stakeholders with regards the good work of the Police in the district and pledged their total support to responsibly assist the Police for peace to reign in the district.

The occasion was capped off with libation pouring and the inspection of the building.