Successes, Challenges Under Steve Zargo at LIS -Security Officials Contend His Suspension Unhelpful

MONROVIA – The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) remains one of the security agencies of the Ministry of Justice tasked with the statutory mandate to enforce the Alien and Nationality Laws of Liberia, to assist guard and protect the territorial boundaries of the Republic of Liberia. With such a huge responsibility, the nation’s premier immigration agency must be up to the task under its statutory obligations. From credible sources within the security sector, the man who was charged to lead the trust at the LIS, Commissioner General Stephen Zargo, had been fighting tooth and nail to transform a seemingly moribund institution before his recent suspension by the President of Liberia for “administrative lapses” – a suspension that officials familiar with the intricacies of the matter say is affecting overall national security efforts. The Analyst reports.

Multiple highly credible sources told this paper that the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) has undergone significant transformations, in the spheres of human resource and infrastructure development within the relative short period of one year under the leadership of head of agency, Steve Zargo now suspected.  

Much of what Zargo has done borders strict adherence to the full and scrupulous implementation of the Alien and Nationality Law of Liberia, and other applicable laws and international instruments in keeping with best practices.

With regards to the development of his institution’s human resources capacity, the sources preferring anonymity said, CG Zargo and his team oversaw the training of and graduation of 517 new officers at the Joseph N. Boakai Training Academy, LIS in Foya, Lofa County.

“The entire nationwide recruitment process was merit-based and guided by best practices,” our source confided.

The recruitment process included the receipt of applications from 9743 nationwide, out of which 8,100 applicants sat for written tests, while 6,300 went through physical tests nationwide. For the 2,850 applicants who went through their medical test, 1,989 applicants came out with flying colors. Finally, 517 applicants were selected for training at the JNB-LISTA in Foya, all of whom graduated on December 7, 2024.

“It is noteworthy to mention that before the LIS could complete the recruitment and graduation of the 517 personnel, the institution under the command of Commissioner General Zargo has undertaken tremendous renovation work at the Liberia Immigration Service Training Academy – LISTA in Foya, Lofa County,” our source indicated.

Some of the renovation works included the relaying of floor tiles, electrical works, reroofing of damaged roofs, plumbing work, installation of solar lights, installation of poly tanks to provide safe drinking water at the training institution, the provision of desks, installation of doors, among others.

The LIS authorities also provided uniform sets for the graduates, including suits, boots, caps, among others. The success of the training and graduation, it is gathered, was largely due to the monumental support from the Government of Liberia and the goodwill from partners and NGOs.

Apart from the graduation exercise, the LIS under CG Zargo has been instrumental in providing opportunities for its personnel, with over 15 female officers benefited from training in defensive driving sponsored by the IDLO.

“Four LIS officers also graduated with bachelor’s degrees from CEPRESS scholarships, 20 LIS officers benefited and graduated from a one-month IT training offered to the LIS by AIIST; five officers (2 females and 3 males) benefited in September of this year from the Chinese Tax Seminar, while other LIS staff received training opportunities through the ILEA, the IOM, among others,” our source indicated, noting that the LIS also provided in-service training for 185 of its personnel at the Gbarnga Regional Security Hub in June of this year.

“These training opportunities have enhanced and upgraded the operation skills of our officers for efficiency,” the LIS source confided.

LIS Thriving Under a Merit-based system

The transformed LIS under Zargo has accordingly seen an upsurge in staff promotions and reassignment based on merit (moral and academic) and gender sensitivity at all levels, including at headquarters, national, regional, county and detail level.

Proficiency and productivity are the yardsticks for staff promotion and reassignments, underpinned by a Ranking Exam sponsored by UNDP and administered by LIPA.

“The Exam was administered over two years, and the results were not published, we ensure the publication of that Exam result. The reinforced merit system has seen a surge in academic achievements in our staff. Currently, most of our County Commanders have at least a first degree,” top-ranking LIS personnel informed this paper.

Strengthened National, International Engagements

According to the LIS personnel who spoke to The Analyst based on anonymity because of “political reasons”, the LIS under suspended Commissioner General Stephen Zargo has experienced strengthened engagements and collaboration with regional, subregional and world bodies like the MRU, ECOWAS, EU UN, among others.

“There has also been an increased strengthened interagency collaboration with other government agencies to enhance intergovernmental agencies operations, for example, at the National Identification Registry (NIR); the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Passport Bureau; the Ministry of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics, and the LIS has engaged the Liberia Business Registry to have LIS officers assigned there to counter check on the citizenship of applicants,” the LIS source indicated.

The LIS, our source further indicated, also boosted engagements with Liberia’s development partners as a confidence-building measure. Some of the engagements included outreach with the IOM, the Regional Security Office of the US Embassy near Monrovia, the UNDP, INL, IDLO, the Swedish Government through its embassy near Monrovia, among others.

Internal Audit Mechanisms

The transformed LIS under CG Zargo witnessed the commissioning of an Internal System Audit, for both personnel and assets. The audit was conducted under the supervision of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA).

The LIS also commissioned a Special Audit of its Armory that was conducted by the Liberian National Arms Commission (LiNCA).

Challenges

While the Zargo administration is said to have exerted every effort in ensuring that the LIS is transformed into a top-notch security service institution, there are still challenges that need to be addressed, especially with the regard to improving the condition of the men and women in the field.

“The LIS procured a bus to address the transportation challenges faced by servicemen who make very little, but this is like a drop in the bucket. We need more buses and logistics,” the LIS source stated.

Some of the challenges listed include the lack of MIDAS Systems at other major borders, insufficient logistics such as uniforms, accessories, mobility, and contemporary technological gadgets.

The issue of low salaries among servicemen and women, and the insufficiency of manpower continue to haunt the LIS. The issue of low output on Residence Permit is also a serious challenge.

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