MONROVIA – Four Commissioner Generals of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) were, at a well-attended general muster, certificated by officers of the Operations division over the weekend for their leadership styles demonstrated over the years since upon their preferment in conferring upon them the title of commissioners-General in -charge of some functions at the LIS.
The general muster took place at the LIS headquarters in Monrovia on March 4, 2023. The muster went well with questions from officers and answers from Commissioners General.
Commenting on the certificates awarded the honorees, the release said inscriptions on their certificates stated that they were honored “for motivational leadership ability” for the period in review [unstated].
A press release issued by the LIS says the general muster started with a paramilitary parade and the chanting of lots of military slogans to make the day a success.
“The just- ended general muster brought together officers of the LIS ranging from commissioner general, deputy commissioner general, directors, deputy directors, sectional heads, deputy sectional heads, regional directors, and their deputies among others,” the release indicated.
The muster was designed to discuss issues confronting the forward match of the LIS by officers and authorities in- charge of the LIS.
At the muster, LIS officers were informed of past and ongoing activities of the LIS. They were given the chance to ask questions, make comments or suggestions on issues confronting the forward match of the institution.
The release furthered that each Commissioner-General was given the time to speak on progress and challenges made within his or her division. The Deputy Commissioner General for Naturalization, Cllr. Asatu Bah- Kenneth, spoke about the current Alien validation process and other initiatives at her division since 2015 at the LIS.
According to her, the division she heads has been going through reform. She also mentioned some challenges and progress made under her watch. Cllr. Bah- Kenneth called for collective efforts in addressing those challenges her division is confronted with.
For her part, the Deputy Commissioner General for Operation, Madam Abigail Wesseh Vah, used her time to encourage officers to unite more for the success of each other. She told them to learn how to respect each other, because nobody knows tomorrow. Madam Wesseh Vah reiterated her calls for unity and promised that unity will be the hallmark in addressing any issue her division may be confronted with.
Also speaking, Deputy Commissioner General for Administration, Honorable Moses Yebleh, disclosed that LIS has been very supportive of the government when it comes to revenue generation.
He said in the year 2022, the LIS generated over four million United States Dollars, saying that the Government of Liberia asked LIS to generate five million United States Dollars in the national revenue coffers in the course of this year, 2023.
The Deputy Commissioner General also informed officers of the LIS that the Government of Liberia has provided in recent time huge amounts of uniforms and office equipment to enhance the workings of the LIS.
He said the Division of Administration of the LIS has received a listing of names of officers absent without official leave (AWOL), which he said administration will not take for joke, noting that this is because ‘people are pay to work, not pay to stay at home.’
Deputy Commissioner-General Yebleh urged officers to desist from the habit of staying away from work and focus on their duties.
For his part, the Commissioner General of the LIS, Honorable Robert Budy emphasized that more attention should be focused on the LIS key responsibilities such as border security and revenue generation.
According to him, LIS is the only security agency of the government that is responsible for border protection. He also urged officers of the LIS to remain steadfast and vigilant in their area of assignment.