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ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia: The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) is facing mounting allegations of corruption, abuse of authority and neglect of staff welfare following the appointment of Commissioner General Elijah Rufus, according to internal accounts and reports obtained by Afric Daily.
Sources within the agency allege that since Rufus assumed office, complaints of financial impropriety, self-enrichment and misuse of power have increased, fueling growing discontent among rank-and-file officers.
The latest allegations center on the reported death of an LIS officer assigned to the Margibi County detachment. According to internal sources, Officer Albert McGill fell seriously ill and was rushed to LIS headquarters in Monrovia in an attempt to obtain an insurance slip required for medical treatment.
However, the source alleged that McGill was denied the slip by the Human Resources Department on the grounds that there were “limited insurance slips,” despite monthly salary deductions made from officers to cover health insurance.
The source further claimed that McGill collapsed inside the LIS headquarters shortly after being turned away. Fellow immigration officers reportedly rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
An LIS officer, who spoke to Afric Daily on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation, accused the administration of failing to honor insurance obligations deducted from employees’ salaries.
“Every month, US$40 is deducted from our salaries for insurance coverage for ourselves and our families,” the officer said. “But when we get sick and request an insurance slip, we are often denied.”
The officer added that even when insurance slips are issued, medical coverage is severely limited.
“When you go to the hospital, they tell you the insurance only covers treatment worth US$40. Anything beyond that, you must pay from your own pocket,” the officer said.
According to the officer, the deductions are made throughout the year, from January to December, but coverage does not reflect the cumulative contributions.
“I personally had US$400 deducted from my salary over 10 months. When I got sick in November, the hospital said I could only receive treatment worth US$40,” the officer said.
Accordingly, several officers are seriously disappointed in Rufus’s administration, noting that they initially welcomed Rufus’ appointment, believing his grassroots background would lead to reforms and improved welfare conditions.
“We were hopeful he would fix the system,” the officer said. “Instead, many of us now feel the system is being exploited for personal gain.”
Additional allegations suggest that routine inspections within the LIS were halted shortly after Rufus took office. Sources further claimed that foreign nationals seeking residence permits are allegedly instructed to contact the commissioner general directly, bypassing established procedures, an assertion that Afric Daily could not independently verify.
The outlet has also been informed of unconfirmed claims that Commissioner General Rufus receives an annual kickback of approximately US$25,000 from an insurance provider linked to the LIS.
Efforts to get comments from Commissioner Rufus Side were futile at the time of this publication.
However, the investigation continues to unearth the alleged clandestine activities within LIS
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