NEWRMC HOSTS THE TRANSNATIONAL ORGANISED CRIME UNIT (TOCU) MANAGEMENET BOARD MEETING ROOM ON 14TH MARCH, 2024

On 14th March, 2024, the Centre hosted a rotational Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) Management Board Meeting in the Centre’s Situation Room. 

The ECOWAS Political Declaration and its attendant Regional Action Plan, both enunciated in 2008, brought about the West African Coast Initiative (WACI) in 2010, in which the creation of Transnational Crime Units (TCUs) was among the key requirements in the four pilot countries (SL, Liberia, Guinea Bissau & Cote d’Ivoire). 

Sierra Leone initially formed the Joint Drugs Interdiction Task Force (JDITF) and later transformed to what is today known as TOCU, with the objective to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and cooperation (expertise and resources) in the fight against transnational criminal activities in Sierra Leone.

To this end, the Management Board therefore serves as a Liaison or an effective link between the TOCU Advisory Board and  the TOCU  Head Quarter (HQ), as well as provides directives to the Head of TOCU to enhance efficiency, effectiveness and productivity. The membership comprises of heads of operation of all member institutions with the Director of Crime Services of the Sierra Leone Police serving as its chairman. 

In the spirit of Inter-agency collaboration and cooperation, the National Early Warning and Response Coordinating Mechanism Centre (NEWRMC), otherwise known as the National Centre for the Coordination of Response Mechanism (NCCRM) was incorporated in 2021 (since it establishment) in line with its mandate to “to develop synergies with institutions working in the fight against all forms of human insecurity and organised crime…”.

In a bid to ensure that the Board is efficient and to promote a sense of ownership among its members, Management Board meetings are rotated among member institutions. During the rotational meetings, the Head of the hosting institution serves as Co-Chairperson of the meeting.  

The Director of Centre of NEWRMC, Mrs Francess Nyuma served as Co-Chair at the meeting held at the NEWRMC HQ on Thursday, 14th March, 2024. The discuss of the meeting ranges from operational and strategic issues (relating to the fight against transnational organised crimes) to the threats they pose to human security, and proffered solutions.