LIS trains Marine Officers

The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) says it has begun training 40 marine officers. LIS spokesman Abraham Dolley told a local radio Tuesday, 8 May in Monrovia that the Liberia Coast Guard is providing the training for the 40 LIS Officers which started 7 May and it will last for about a month.

According to Mr. Dolley, the training will cover some basic areas like sea navigation, firearm and exposure to boat maintenance. “It is going to be the first time in the history of Liberia to have a Marine Unit,” Mr. Dolley says, adding that if they are on the coast and find mechanical issues on the boat, they will be able to handle those issues.

The LIS spokesman adds that Immigration Officers will be trained to river patrol and containing illegal issues like illegal drugs that are coming to the country by the way of the coastal line.

Mr. Dolley notes that LIS is training its officers to firearm because those
who come in the country with illegal substances usually come in with firearms, saying officers need to be trained and equipped to handle cases of such whenever they arise.

Prior to the election, Mr. Dolley recalls that officers were vetted by expert from the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and they were given aptitude test before they were finally listed for the training.

By Ethel A. Tweh–Edited by Winston W. Parley