Monrovia — The government of the People’s Republic of China had done it again, this time completing a major project and turning it over the Liberian government at the cost of US$5.5M.

The Chinese government on Tuesday officially handed over a new military facility - Camp Tubman Military Barracks in Gbarnga, Bong County at an elaborate program graced by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and band of government officials.
The project was done through a bilateral memorandum of Understanding between the Chinese government and the Ministry of National Defense representing the Liberian government.
The memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Liberian Government and the government of the People’s Republic of China through the People’s Liberation Army on July 21, 2007 and provided for the framework of renovation of Camp Tubman Military Barracks.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf cutting the ribbon to the newly renovated barracks Tuesday said the renovation is part of her administration’s commitment to members of the new Armed Forces of Liberia to provide the necessary conditions for the gallant men and women of the army to carry out their work.
The Liberian leader said the renovation of the barrack by the Liberian government through bilateral negotiation with the Republic of China must be reciprocated by the new AFL soldiers with discipline and active participation in the development of the country.

“We are pleased for this facility because it will enable us to meet our commitment to our men and women in arms that would be able to carry their activities freely and professionally under conditions that are acceptable to do their jobs. In return, we expect them to be law-abiding, discipline and participate in our development agenda”, President Sirleaf cautions the new army.
The Liberian leader praised the Chinese government for the assistance and said the growing friendship between Liberia and China is notable based on several development projects ongoing in Liberia been implemented by China.
She said the renovation work was just a small example of the activities that are going on across the country with the support of the People’s Republic of China, adding, “ schools have been built, roads have been built, public buildings have been repaired….we are grateful for the relationship we continue to enjoy with the People’s Republic of China..”

President Sirleaf called on the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia to use the new military facility properly.
hinese Ambassador to Liberia Zhou Yuxiao said the cooperation between the two Armed forces of both Liberia and china will be further strengthened.
He said the Chinese government is happy to turn over the Camp Tubman Military Barrack which he disclosed is the largest project in infrastructure undertaken by the Chinese in Africa.
The Chinese envoy said the relationship between Liberia and China has grown over the last few years and is very meaningful to the two countries.
“Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Liberia our bilateral relations have become increasingly solidified, our economic cooperation has produced great results and our military exchanges have been continuously strengthened. The Chinese government and the People’s Liberation Army have supported the training of the new Liberian army by giving help such as capacity building and personal training and etc”, Ambassador Zhou recounted.
Since 2006, the Chinese Ambassador said, China has provided 30 scholarships every year to help train Liberian army officers, 38 million Chinese Yuan (CNY) an equivalent of US$5.5 million dollars as an assistance ear marked for the construction of Camp Tubman Military Barracks.
Ambassador Zhou said the project was completed on time due to the effort of officials of the Ministry of National Defense, the China Xing Xing Corporation, the Bangladeshi Contingent of UNMIL and the many contractors.
He said the Liberian governed has succeeded in its quest to build a new and professional Liberian army and indicated that the new army will be discipline and aw-abiding.

Ambassador Zhou: “We will like to say that the Liberian government has succeeded in its quest to build a new army with the support of the US government and ECOWAS. We are confident this new Armed forces will be law-abiding, hardly discipline and professional, capable of safe guarding the peace and security of Liberia. I hope this gift from my country will add a little to the AFL in fulfilling its mission.”
Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for what he called the numerous contributions of that country to the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed forces of Liberia.

“We like to thank the Chinese government not only for this facility but other training opportunities and equipment that they have provided to the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia,” and continued, “We look forward to the scholarship to train our personnel and other assistances.”
The Defense Minister also praised the support from other countries including the United States of America, West African countries and other international partners for their support to the building of the new Liberian army.

“We remain very grateful for the numerous support from our international partners, I will like to inform that the soldiers that will be here were trained by the United States of America sponsored Security Sector Reform Program (SSR) and our friends from the West African sub region, have also been very helpful to the training of the new AFL and we also say thank to our own Officer In-Charge, Maj. Gen. Abdul Raman”, Minister Samukai expressed.
The Defense Minister promised that the facilities of the newly renovated barracks will be used professionally and with care.

He said it is the Ministry’s intention to utilize the facility in the appropriate manner, saying, “We will do the best we can to make sure that the soldiers that are deployed here are under the proper leadership and guidance and they will be able to work with their counterparts particularly UNMIL Bangladeshi contingent to continue their training in engineering. It is hope that the Chinese side promise of providing one year maintenance of the facility will help to train other Liberians on how to manage the facility.”

Members of the new Armed Forces of Liberia, he said were trained by United States sponsored SSSR program and expressed thank to the US government, Maj. General Radman and the Bangladesh contingent of UNMIL for their continuous support to the new AFL.
The Camp Tubman Military Barracks which covers 29.3 acres, with a future expansion capability of up to 75 acres of land, is named after Liberia’s 18th President William V.S. Tubman.

It was established in 1937 as a detachment of the Armed Forces of Liberia’s 5th Infantry Battalion which was headquartered in Sanniquellie, Nimba County.
The barrack was destroyed during the course of the Liberian civil war, leaving the entire facility in ruins until the recent renovation by the Chinese.