Fromayan Takes-over Arms Commission Again

By John Dennis Weah

MONROVIA – James Fromayon has once again took over the realm of the Liberia National Commission on Arms (LiNCA).

During a turn over ceremony held July 10,  former Commissioner Thomas K. Kollie gave the mantle of authority to James M. Fromayan, who once served in the same capacity years ago.

The former National Elections Commission Chairperson promised to reform the Commission during the ceremony also attended by key apparatuses of the joint security and with other stakeholders and representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The attendees included the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), the National Security Agency (NSA) and other functionaries of government including the Civil Service (CSA) Agency and the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA).

At the program Commissioner Thomas K. Kollie performed the official turning over to Chairman James M. Fromayan who received the turn-over notes from his predecessor.

Stakeholders in attendance gave assurances of their cooperation in building a cemented and well-coordinated working relationship with the new administration to move the country forward.

In his takeover remarks, Fromayan said he was so delighted seeing some old and new partners and staff of the arms commission. “It is the end of one era and the beginning of another,” he said. “I extend our heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency President Joseph Nyumah Boakai of the Republic of Liberia for the confidence reposed in us to head the commission on arms.”

“Coming back to the national arms commission to us is a repeat of a distinguished public service legacy and performance as well as home coming,” Flomayan continued. “Eleven years ago, we assumed the chairmanship of the then National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons which by constitutional amendment is now known as the National Commission on Arms.

“Today I am humble to be back to serve my country. And I am also delighted to have some of those who worked with us before that brought vibrancy to the work of the institution even though they are not within the employ any longer.”

Moving forward, he said, “I recognize Mr. Josiah F. Joekai, Jr. and Mr. Blamo Sieh for the outstanding performances working with me in time past at the commission. When we turned the commission over to a new administration six years ago, the commission had a fleet of five functional vehicles and a decent clean headquarters, but the new take-over is different. The commission does not have a single vehicle.”

The newly inducted Chairman promised a good working relationship with those who will accept working with him.

“We will try to unite the workforce working as a team and there is no plan dismissing anybody,” he promised. “But respecting one another will be the hallmark of my administration, including the janitors, as nobody will be trampled upon showing mutual respect for everyone.”

He announced a plan to seek CSA’s assistance in reviewing the commission’s payroll in totality, asking the human resource staff to l work with Civil Service Agency in achieving that objective.

“I want to thank Commissioner Kollie for already initiating the process with the plan for the offices in Bomi and Lofa Counties,” he said. “Henceforth, as part of our priority, we will embark upon institutional restructuring and capacity building exercises to position the commission to effectively respond to the new demands and challenges presented by the expanded mandate of the commission from a small arms commission to an arms commission.”

He stressed the plan of seven new pillars that the commission which he noted is national in character by extending its reach beyond Monrovia through the setting up of regional and county structures.

Flomayan also divulged plans to undertake a thorough review of the existing legal framework for arms control with the view to fill existing gaps; harmonize new laws with the penal code and enhance enforcement mechanism; review and update existing small arms and light weapons baseline information to reflect current trends of small arms, and light weapons in the country.

The plan, he said, also includes to operationalize the Civilian Arms Registration Program through an effective registration and licensing regime for all holders of single barrels hunting guns nationwide in line with the Fire Arms and Ammunition Control Act, and working closely with state security agencies and the army in identifying and addressing key capacity gaps towards the physical security and proper management of their arms stockpiled consistent with international standards and best practice.

He said his administration will also embark on the robust public education program to increase public knowledge and understanding about the danger pose by trafficking trade and circulation of illicit small arms and light weapons including popularizing the Fire Arms and Ammunition Control Act and its administrative regulation to rally the support of the public in curbing the proliferation of illegal small arms and light weapons.

The Chairman of the Liberia National Commission of Arms also asked all Liberians and foreign residents to join the government of Liberia’s effort to keep cities, towns and villages safe against arms related crimes and violence.

“We commit to working all stakeholders including the security apparatus, government functionaries, development partners, the private sector, civil society, including women, youths, the student groups and the media in ensuring that this country remains on the path of durable peace and stability through a robust arms control program in Liberia.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the Director General of the Civil Service Agency Josiah Joekai used the occasion to appreciate Pres. Boakai for the appointment of Hon. James Fromayan, his former boss, who returned as Chairman for the Liberia National Commission on Arms.

He pointed out his recommendation to the veteran statesman at his previous workplace.

Joekai noted: “One of the immediate actions that I would like to recommend for you to take is that Mr. Chairman you need to immediately amend the act, the act was not amended taken into consideration future activities of the commission; the act was amended in the way that it addressed the needs of those who ran it at the time, that has to be changed to be national in character, something that will reflect the efficiency and effectiveness of the institution in terms of its operations and administration.”

He placed emphases on redoing headcounts of employees at the commission where employees’ official document allegedly went missing by persons unknown apparently to sabotage ongoing CSA’s operations at the institution.

He averred that the Civil Service Agency would ensure working with the Commission, like all other heads of institutions, to make sure that “we transform the workforce of the institution and all government functionaries.”

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