Political activist Jeremiah Edison Paye has hailed the Commissioner General of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Col. Stephen J. H. Zargo, for instituting compulsory medical examinations and urine analysis to determine the illicit use of drugs and other substances by new recruits of the institution.
As part of the requirements for the ongoing recruitment process of new officers, the LIS, under Col. Zargo, is collaborating with a professional institution, the African Union Trading Company (AUTC), to conduct medical examinations for all new LIS officers.
Doctors and nurses from the JFK Medical Center, under the auspices of the African Union Trading Company, are now conducting medical examinations and urine analyses for the newly recruited LIS officers.
Speaking at a news conference, Mr. Paye stated, “I wish to extol the administration of Commissioner General Stephen J. H. Zargo and his deputies at the Liberia Immigration Service for introducing medical examinations and urine analyses as part of the requirements for soon-to-be enlisted officers of the immigration service.”
According to him, making medical examinations and urine analyses compulsory for recruits of the LIS to determine the use of illicit drugs and other substances, in the midst of increased drug abuse and the intake of harmful substances that are destroying the future of many youths, is a laudable policy.
He noted that the ongoing effort by the LIS has the potential to discourage youths and students from using illegal drugs and other substances.
“I urge members of the legislature and the judiciary, as well as heads of all ministries, agencies, and commissions across the Liberian government, to emulate the example of Col. Zargo and his deputies at the Liberia Immigration Service.”
“The Liberia National Police (LNP) can work with AUTC to conduct medical examinations and urine analyses to determine illicit drug use for those seeking police clearance,” he indicated.
Paye also noted that the Civil Service Agency (CSA) should utilize such prerequisites for government employment.
“I call on President Boakai to institute drug tests at all government institutions for all employees of the Liberian government. This would demonstrate President Boakai’s declaration that drug abuse is a national emergency.”
Political activist Jeremiah Paye, on the other hand, commended the management of the African Union Trading Company, founded by U.S. Army Sergeant Eric Twum, for offering medical examinations and urine analyses for new recruits of the Liberia Immigration Service.
Jeremiah Paye, who is also the Acting National Secretary of the opposition Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), expressed gratitude over the partnership between the LIS and the African Union Trading Company, noting that it is a supportive venture in the fight against the menace of drug and substance abuse.
Paye also recognized AUTC’s donations of vocational training materials, including electronic toolkits, chemical technology materials, clinical materials for the healthcare system, cooking materials, plumbing, carpentry modern textbooks, and other equipment to Journey Against Violence (JAV) of Evangelist Joshua Blahyi.
He stated that the US $10,000.00 worth of materials donated by AUTC is a laudable venture that will assist the JAV in combating narcotic drugs and providing mental care and vocational training to at-risk youths undergoing rehabilitation at the center.
He then welcomed the arrival of trained doctors and nurses from the U.S. to Liberia to provide additional medical services for struggling Liberians.
