Jimmey C. Fahngon — Earmarks US$ 700,000 To Begin At Red Light

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says it is initiating a new programme named and styled "Small Arms Control and Masses Disarmament in Liberia" which is intended to make Liberia a gun free society.

UNDP Disarmament Expert, Mr. Napoleon Abdulai told journalists Wednesday at UNMIL's weekly press briefing that the project is in two folds. The first project, a preparatory assistance project would last for one year followed by the development of a five-year programme to rid the country of small arms.

The Acting Special Representative of the Secretary General, Ambassador Abou Moussa, who also commented on the project, disclosed that US $ 700,000 has been earmarked to begin the project adding, "as we begin this project, we will be able to mobilize more funding for this important project which is intended to make the country a gun free society."

Speaking further, Mr. Abudulai said that the project would involve the full participation of communities. He said communities that will turn in arms would be rewarded for their commitment toward the process.

He averred that the reward would take the form of wells, schools, clinics, roads, and other infrastructure development for the communities.

The UNDP Disarmament Expert stated that individual will not be rewarded for turning in arms adding, "only community will be rewarded, because we want for the community to be fully involved so that it can reap the benefit."

Mr. Abudulai explained that the process would begin at the Liberia- Guinea, Liberia- Ivory Coast borders.

The new project, among other activities, he indicated, includes the formation of national commission on small arms, to raise public awareness and education on the danger associated to the illicit proliferation of small arms in Liberia, community arms collection for development and the revision of the national laws on small arms control in the country.

Small arms and light weapons, the UNDP Disarmament Expert said, are issues that dominate the United Nations and ECOWAS.

He said that this July the UN would be organizing its program of action on the control of small arms and light weapons, which was adopted July 2001.

He pointed out that ECOWAS has setup a regional project known as ECOWAS Small Arms Control Program" with a budget of US$3million.

The ECOWAS' project, he noted would also have the Mano River Small Arms Control project base in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

He then hoped that the project would help to reduce the flow of small arms in Liberia and help to make the country arms free.