Monrovia, Liberia – A newly constructed and renovated Immigration Detachment at the Freeport of Monrovia has been put into service by the Liberian Immigration Service (LIS), significantly enhancing border control, national security, and round-the-clock port operations at the nation’s busiest marine entry point.
Senior government officials, security chiefs, port authorities, and international partners joined gathered for the dedication ceremony at the National Port Authority (NPA) on Friday, January 16, 2026, to reaffirm their shared commitment to bolstering Liberia’s frontline border management system.
Officer Stephen Jarbah, who spoke at the event, characterized the project as a strategic investment in professional service delivery and national security rather than just an infrastructure enhancement. He stated that years of poor and crowded working circumstances that limited immigration operations along the Freeport corridor, which runs from Freeport to the St. Paul Bridge, have been replaced by the new facility.
“The Freeport Detachment plays a critical role in monitoring ship crews, seafarers, port workers, and multiple access points within the port zone, which operates on a 24-hour basis. Immigration officers stationed there are responsible for controlling several Border Routes (BRs), including those at the main port and auxiliary terminals, often under intense operational pressure,” officer Jarbah stated.
He noted that for many years, immigration officers worked in hazardous, transient spaces, such as warehouses and one-room offices, with inadequate logistics and bad working conditions. He claimed that despite these difficulties, officers continued to be “ready and willing” to serve as port operations grew and security requirements rose.
The officer clarified that the commissioning of the reconstructed detachment is in line with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s governance strategy, which focuses on promoting national growth through efficient security sector reform, strengthening institutions, and improving working conditions for public employees.
After outlining the Freeport detachment’s history, Jarbah commended the National Port Authority, the Government of Liberia, and security partners for working together to make the project a reality. He also noted that cooperation is still crucial for protecting Liberia’s borders from threats to maritime security, illegal entry, and transnational crime.
He took the opportunity to honor former immigration administrators and commanders who set the groundwork for changes inside the Freeport Detachment, including as initiatives to enhance discipline, coordination, and communication among officers working in a high-risk setting.
Head officer Josephine Cheapoo of the Freeport Detachment, for her part, called the change a turning moment for professionalism and morale, pointing out that officers may now work from a respectable, practical, and safe workstation that represents the significance of their duty.
The renovated facility will boost efficiency, accountability, and real-time reaction among immigration agents working with other security agencies, according to Madam Cheapoo, given the rise in shipping activity and the Freeport’s role as Liberia’s primary commerce hub.
As officials stressed that protecting the Freeport involves more than just infrastructure but also a commitment to the country’s security and sovereignty, the program ended with prayers for ongoing collaboration, integrity, and service dedication. The reconstructed Freeport Immigration Detachment now represents the Liberian Immigration Service’s tenacity, reform, and renewed determination to defend Liberia’s borders by land, sea, and port of entry.
Reported by: Prince Saah
