The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) has commenced a week-long high-level retreat in Ganta, Nimba County, aimed at reviewing and strengthening key administrative and human resource policies to enhance institutional performance.
The retreat, hosted at the Prince Y. Johnson Polytechnic University, brings together senior officials of the service to deliberate on critical policy frameworks intended to modernize operations, improve personnel welfare, and boost overall service delivery across Liberia’s borders.
Representing Commissioner General Elijah Rufus at the opening ceremony, Deputy Commissioner General for Administration Nelsco Aleo Wolo described the gathering as both “a distinct honor and a profound privilege,” stressing its importance to the future of the institution.
Wolo praised stakeholders for their presence, noting that their participation demonstrates a strong partnership between local authorities and national security institutions. He emphasized that such collaboration is vital to strengthening governance, improving border security, and enhancing public service delivery nationwide.
Central to the discussions is the proposed Human Resource and Welfare Policy (2025), which seeks to improve morale, motivation, and professional development for LIS personnel, particularly those deployed at border points and migration posts.
Participants are also reviewing administrative regulations governing recruitment, promotion, transfers, and separation processes, as well as merit-based awards systems. Additional focus areas include salary structures, allowances, pension benefits, and leave entitlements.
The retreat is further examining mechanisms for supporting families of deceased officers, with an emphasis on dignity and adequate assistance.
Organizers say the policy review is necessary, as several existing frameworks no longer reflect the operational realities of a modern paramilitary institution. The ongoing discussions aim to align LIS policies with international best practices.
Other key documents under review include the Administrative Regulations, Fleet Policy, and Deployment Regulations—all intended to strengthen discipline, accountability, and operational efficiency.
Attention is also being directed toward improving command structures in Liberia’s leeward counties to ensure better coordination and responsiveness across regional commands. The retreat has drawn participation from top LIS leadership, including Deputy Commissioner for Operations A. Kundukai Jaliba, along with directors, sectional heads, and county commanders from across the country.
Participants have been urged to engage constructively and maintain a strong sense of national duty to ensure meaningful outcomes.
Expected deliverables from the retreat include revised policy documents, a comprehensive gap analysis report, and actionable recommendations to guide institutional reforms. The initiative underscores the LIS’s commitment to institutional reform, capacity building, and improved personnel welfare. It also reflects a broader effort to build a more professional, disciplined, and responsive immigration service capable of meeting the evolving demands of border management and national security in Liberia.
Author: Samuel B. Johnson
