Kismaayo - With the support of the United Nations and international partners, a new police headquarters and a vehicle were handed over to Jubbaland State Police Force in the capital, Kismaayo, in a bid to boost security in the western Somali state.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Jubbaland’s Police Commissioner, Ahmednasir Guled Hassan, commended both the United Nations and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) for support offered to the federal state, mentioning, for example, how officers have benefited tremendously from training opportunities offered by the two organizations.

“We have good working relationship and we thank them for their support,” Mr. Hassan observed.

For his part, Jubbaland’s Second Deputy President, Abdikadir Haji Mohamud Luga Dheere, appealed to the international community to help Somalia attain its dream of attaining peace and security.

“We are a people and country that was in a civil war for 30 years, so we request you to support us to reach our destination that is a developed Somalia that can stand on its feet and is self-sufficient,” the Deputy President noted.

The police station’s project was implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), with the support of the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID).

Also at the ceremony, Nazrul Kabir, UNOPS Infrastructure Project Manager, said the new police station help will boost security in Somalia, and Jubbaland in particular.

“This is a wonderful facility given to the police force; it will really help the Jubbaland authority and Somali government to bring peace, security and stability to the region. I hope this facility will be useful for the people of Jubbaland and Somalia,” Kabir noted.

Kismaayo’s police headquarters is the fourth facility whose work has been benefitted by DFID’s support. The others are in Baidoa, Belet Weyne and Hargeisa. The construction and maintenance works, which began last year, took 12 months to be completed.

The handover ceremony was also attended by AMISOM Deputy Police Commissioner, Christine Alalo, UN representatives and senior Jubbaland police officers.