The Minister of Commerce & Industry (MoCI), Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh, is calling on inspectors of the various sector institutions assigned at entry points to exercise vigilance if government must succeed in raising the needed revenue for the development of Liberia.

Speaking during a meeting with Commerce Inspectors and their colleagues from the Liberia National Police, Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) and the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), at the Loguatuo Border Port recently, Minister Dagoseh warned that settling down for little or nothing rather than prioritizing national interest undermines ongoing efforts by government to transform Liberia.

She said realizing the ARREST Agenda for inclusive development requires high degree of diligence and commitment to country among those performing revenue collection-related duties on behalf of the various line ministries and agencies of government.

Minister Dagoseh added that when the needed taxes are collected without compromise, it puts the government in a better position to address the country’s huge development challenges through budgetary appropriations.

She particularly admonished Commerce Inspectors throughout Liberia not to allow sympathy and personal interest supersede national interest by dancing to the prescription of unscrupulous business people who may want to maximize profit at the expense of the Liberian people. 

“When you get compromised and allow unwholesome products to enter the market, it’s dangerous because even if you don’t eat it, your relative or friend might be the victim,” she observed. 

Minister Dagoseh also called for collaboration and due respect among the various sector institutions of government assigned at the various ports of entry, if they must, in return win public respect, especially from non-Liberian participants in the business sector.

She equally lauded them for taking up the challenge to work for their country in the midst of logistical and other challenges-adding that heads of the various line ministries and agencies are determined and committed to working together in finding solution to issues affecting those manning the various  border posts.

In separate remarks, county and regional heads of the various ministries and agencies assigned at the Loguatou Border Port, commended Minister Dagoseh and team for the visit. They said the meeting with them provided an opportunity to interact with her and to equally share with the delegation challenges being experienced, what each sector institution has achieved, etc.

They assured Minister Dagoseh of doing their best to put national interest above personal bearings in executing their duties. 

Earlier buttressing Minister Dagoseh, Liberia’s Commerce Inspector General, D.Dorr Cooper, stressed the importance of information sharing through team work.

Mr. Cooper indicated that unless those representing the various sector institutions realize that they are working toward the same goal, achieving positive results through revenue generation may be a failure.  He further admonished them to resist the temptation of flooding the local market with unwholesome and hazardous products at the expense of the public.

The Commerce & Industry Minister is currently undertaking a tour of five counties (Grand Cape Mount, Nimba, Grand Bassa, Margibi and Bong, as part of the ongoing Nationwide General Market Inspection.

 The tour is also being used by Minister Dagoseh for acquaintance and assessment of issues affecting Inspectors across Liberia, etc.