By Emma Black
The Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone has donated a significant consignment of surveillance equipment to the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) in support of the government’s Safe City Project a nationwide initiative aimed at strengthening public safety through modern technology.
The donation package includes 45 CCTV cameras, three Huawei monitors, and three Lenovo laptops, all manufactured in China. The items were officially handed over during a ceremony attended by senior police officials, representatives from the Chinese Embassy, and other dignitaries.
Representing the Chinese Embassy, Hon. Zhang Diabin expressed pride in supporting Sierra Leone’s crime prevention efforts, these items will assist the SLP in implementing its ‘Safe City’ Project by expanding CCTV coverage across the country, he said.
Hon. Zhang reaffirmed China’s long-standing commitment to Sierra Leone’s security and development, describing the donation as a symbol of our shared commitment to peace, security, and the well-being of every citizen in Sierra Leone. He added that the equipment will empower the SLP to prevent and combat crime more effectively, protect communities, and strengthen public trust which he described as fundamentals for national progress.
Inspector General of Police, Mr. William Fayia Sellu, who received the items on behalf of the SLP, expressed deep gratitude to the Chinese government. China has been a steadfast friend to Sierra Leone, even during our civil war. It is on this foundation of friendship that our cooperation has grown, he remarked.
IG Sellu explained that the Safe City project, first conceived in 2014, received renewed momentum under President Julius Maada Bio, who recognised its strategic importance in crime fighting. He noted that more than 36 surveillance cameras have already been installed in Freetown, including at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (Cottage), following a rise in child theft cases.
He also highlighted China’s wider contributions to Sierra Leone’s development, including modern equipment for the media sector and technical support for the Smart City initiative, that project has already extended to Bo City South and is now being planned for Kenema, Makeni, and Port Loko.
The 45 CCTV cameras, three laptops, and three 65-inch plasma screens will greatly enhance our capacity to cover all six police regions nationwide, IG Sellu said, he also commended China for providing advanced training opportunities for Sierra Leonean police officers.
Concluding his remarks, IG Sellu expressed optimism about the impact of the donation, today, I am proud to receive this substantial intervention from China, with these tools, we expect a notable reduction in crime rates in the coming months, he said.
The ceremony concluded with the official signing and handover of the equipment, marking another milestone in the growing bilateral relations between Sierra Leone and China.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday,15th August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
