Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Lt. General Samuel Omar Williams yesterday, Tuesday told journalists at the Ministry of Defence Conference Center that the Chinese government will capacitate the Military Joint Medical Unit with a P3 Biosafety Lab to check infectious diseases.
The CDS said the Chinese delegation is in town now and they are doing the feasibility studies on where to place the lab that will help improve the military medical unit that did extremely well during the ebola crisis.
The military boss said it is a welcome idea that they have been recognized by the international community for their exemplary role in winning the ebola fight.
“As I speak now the Chinese team is on the ground working with our own men so that the ideal spot can be located where they can build the lab for us. This is good for our military as it is expanding our scope to respond to any emergency in the country and to be doing research on infectious diseases like ebola, Lasser fever, malaria, and so on.”
The CDS said they have also received a Rapid Deployment Isolation Facility that was given to them by the British government for their success in the ebola fight. This, he said, is currently deployed in Kambia because of the recent outbreak.
He reiterated that the ebola and Militay Aid to Civilian Power (MACP) stretched them thin and they have felt the need to improve on the medical and other specialties to meet future demand.
“It is for this reason that we intend to recruit this year both other ranks and commission officers. Due to the virus outbreak, we postponed all recruitments in 2015, but we will definitely get it done this year to help us prepare for the future.”
Lt. Gen. S.O. Williams said the Defence Council of the military is working also on the terms and condition of service as they want the soldiers to be motivated.
He also said even though there was ebola they still conducted intermediate and senior staff courses overseas and they will continue this year because he said President Koroma has already made the commitment at the UN summit in New York last year that Sierra Leone will produce one battalion for peacekeeping.
“Because of this commitment, we need to strengthen the military with equipment and personnel so that we will be able to make more money for the welfare of our soldiers.”
The CDS averred that there only source of income is the government, so it is difficult for them as it takes time for government to meet their demands.
He intimated the press that some of the new quarters they have been constructing across the country in their barracks have finished, others are still on and said this month they will unveil the Gondama barracks that have been completed.
“We have also restructured the Benguema Training Center and it is now up to standard and will serve its purpose fully well. In fact it was there the British troops were stationed during the ebola crisis.”
He also appealed to the press to crosscheck their stories as many a time the stories published are incorrect as they have the tendencies to create unrest in the country.
Wednesday February 03, 2016
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