The Acting Director General of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Anthony Souh, has urged Liberian citizens as well as international partners to join forces in the fight against illicit drugs in the country.
Speaking Wednesday, October 16, 2024, during the turning over ceremony in Monrovia, Director Souh emphasized that the fight against illicit drugs need prepared professionals, capacity building and manpower development to accomplish the objective of the institution.
According to him, Liberia as a nation cannot fight the issue of illicit drugs alone, as there is a need for international partners’ intervention to join hands with the government, citing that drug abuse and illicit trafficking is a transnational organized crime that knows no border.
The acting LDEA head told the audience that his coming to the LDEA is in good faith and promised to work with the employees in order to execute the national duty for the betterment of the country.
He reminded officers of the agency that Liberians look up to the institution to fight illicit drugs, stating that there will be a reform process intended to improve the capability and prepare the staff for this national and patriotic duty, which will include vetting and audit of all past activities.
“I am therefore calling on all of us to join hands to address the emergency, while we don’t pretend to know it all. We are prepared and willing to take this task hands on as we ensure the fight against illegal drugs across the country,” LDEA boss emphasized.
The new Director General then appreciated the outgoing Officer in Charge (OIC), Mr. Christopher Peter for the sound foundation he laid as he promised that his administration will follow the same foundation to improve the agency.
Meanwhile, Mr. Peters who led the Agency for the past four months handed over a detailed report on his tenure, expressing his satisfaction in leaving the LDEA in capable hands.
However, Peters urged the new Acting Director to follow the same footing he left to benefit the institution, as he further told Director Souh that he remains accessible for his consultancy.
The political advisor to President Boakai, MacDella Cooper,also applauded the outgoing OIC for his service to the country, adding that the OIC stepped up when the nation needed him the most, and did deliver beyond expectations.
She congratulated the new Director, and expressed confidence in his leadership and pledged the support of the office of the President in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse. Source: LINA