By Sei Toakehyi Koyea, LINA Nimba County Correspondent
GANTA, April 21 (LINA) – The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) has concluded a week-long retreat in Ganta City, Nimba County focusing on critical examination and strengthening key administrative and human resource policy framework documents within the institution.
The intensive week-long retreat held at the PYJ Polytechnic University Campus brought together senior leadership of the LIS, The intensive week-long policy retreat working sessions reviewed existing draft policies, modernized institutional procedures, and aligned operational standards with contemporary public service requirements.
Key discussions focused on improving internal governance structures, strengthening service delivery of the LIS, and enhancing staff welfare with attention given to improving command structure in leeward counties enhancing coordination and operational responsiveness across regional commands.
Speaking at the close of the retreat on Thursday, April 16, Deputy LIS Commissioner General for Administration, Nelsco A. Wolo applauded LIS senior officials for a successful review mechanism aimed at strengthening every department of the institution.
He described the week-long policy framework gathering as a distinct honor and a profound privilege underscoring the significance of the engagement, nothing that the retreat represents a critical step towards strengthening institutional effectiveness preparing the service for future operational demands.
Wolo extended thanks and appreciation to stakeholders who attended the retreat and stated that their presence and inputs reflect the importance of a strong partnership between local authorities and national security institutions. He promised that the review further reinforced a shared commitment to strengthening the border security, and improving public service delivery across Liberia.
The deputy commissioner highlighted that key policy framework documents also reviewed during the retreat included consideration on the Human Resource and Welfare Policy (2025), which focuses on well-being, improving morale, motivation, and professional development of personnel deployed along Liberia’s borders and migration posts.
Wolo indicated that additional focus were on salary structures, allowances, pension benefits, leave entitlements, with examined procedures for providing support in the event of death of a serving officer which emphasized further on dignity and adequate assistance for bereaved families.
Commissioner Wolo concluded by announcing plans by LIS to build immigration barracks in every county to host LIS personnel assigned in a particular county.
The retreat also reviewed the administrative regulations, fleet policy, and Deployment Regulations, all aimed at strengthening discipline, efficiency, and accountability within the service. The participants aligned revised frameworks with best practices internationally.
For his part, the Commissioner General of the Liberia Immigration Service, Mr. Elijah Rufus explained that the retreat was necessary because several existing policies no longer reflect the operational realities of a modern paramilitary institution.
He explained that the outcome of the retreat will play a pivotal role in shaping a well-structured immigration system capable of meeting both national security expectations and administrative excellence.
Rufus maintained that their focus will be more responsive, disciplined to meet professional standards, assuring participants that the reviewed framework documents will take immediate effect in the coming months.