By Solomon T Gaye
Alleged security harassment in demand of what is described as “gate drop” at the Liberia Immigration Service check point at the main borders in Gompa is hampering cross border trade between Liberia and Guinea.
“Gate drop” is the simplified version in Liberia to describe “bribe money” taken by officers in charge of a sentry to allow free passage of commuters.
Speaking to this outlet, Cecelia Wonkeryor, explained that the Gompa main border, which is comprised of four check points has been charging varying fees in the amount of LRD$100 for each motorcycle taxi conveying passengers, LRD$ 200 for every marketer with goods and LRD$ 500 for each commercial vehicle from either side of the borders.
According to Madam Wonkeryor, the collection of ‘gate drop’ at these four check points is creating hardship on the market women and she’s therefore calling on the appropriate authorities to meet with the joint security or the LIS commander Korto Yarkpazuo, to discuss way aimed at easing such burden on traders.
Gompa borders comprises seven unrecognized sub-ports without a state security that is mostly used by unscrupulous business people to smuggle items in and out of the country due to alleged huge collection of gate drops at the main Gompa border points.
Since the induction of Korto Yarkpazuo, as Gompa detail LIS commander and joint security chair lady, there are whispers of alleged report of security harassment, ‘gate drop’ collection of huge cash from drivers and travelers passing the Gompa – Guinea borders route. This is getting to be the order of the day and a common practice that has gained steam under the watchful eyes of the joint security commander in Nimba County.
Speaking on the same issue, a senior joint security officer disclosed that commercial vehicles carrying passengers from Liberia to Guinea and vice versa are required to pay LRD$ 250 depending on what you are carrying or the number of passengers onboard such a vehicle.
“Every traveler passing through this port of entry pays LRD$ 250 to the LIS Commander’s office. Whether the money paid is deposited into government’s revenue, that is not our business”, the senior joint security officer disclosed.
“Commercial vehicles coming in with passengers from Guinea gave LRD$ 250 along with their Laissez Passé to the LIS officers assigned near the bridge on the Liberian side of the border”, the joint security officer further revealed.
In a related development, Jackson Kpaseh, further revealed that many business people are using the child friendly local border in Gompa to come in and go out for fear of security harassment by some LIS female Officers in demand of gate drop.
When this paper contacted LIS Gompa detail Commander, Korto Yarkpazuo, she angrily shouted, saying “leave me alone, on grounds that I’m not in my uniform and in my office.”
“My young man never you do that to me again, I can speak to you on any issue here, that is my position, “LIS Gompa Commander Korto Yarkpazuo boasted.
When the LIS county Commander was contacted via mobile phone, the office mobile phone was switched off up to press time.
