Published: January 24, 2025
Capitol Hill – Lofa County Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Defense, Security, Intelligence, and Veteran Affairs, Momo T. Cyrus, has emphasized that the alleged delay by the Liberian government in settling the benefits of “illegally” dismissed officers of the Executive Protection Service (EPS) poses a serious national security concern.
Senator Cyrus, a senior security expert and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Security Expert Guard Agency of Liberia (SEGAL), made the statement while updating plenary on his committee’s work during the Thursday session of the Liberian Senate on January 23, 2025.
He revealed that the Committee on Defense, Security, Intelligence, and Veteran Affairs, under his leadership, had investigated the concerns of the dismissed EPS agents and compiled a report with recommendations outlining steps to resolve the matter.
According to Senator Cyrus, the affected officers diligently served the state through the elite security service and therefore deserve to be compensated.
“Because these EPS officers served in their various capacities to which they were appointed, they should be compensated,” he stressed.
Despite the committee’s investigation and subsequent recommendation for payment, Senator Cyrus lamented that the officers remain unpaid. “I can clearly tell you that, as we speak, those people have not been paid,” he added.
It can be recalled that after the Unity Party assumed leadership of the national government, the administration of the EPS, under the leadership of Director Sam Gaye, terminated the services of over 200 agents.
Gaye justified the decision as a move to restore sanity, professionalism, and ethical standards within the elite force responsible for protecting the Liberian presidency and VIPs.
He also suggested that the dismissed officers were loyal to former President George Manneh Weah, a factor he described as a potential threat to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the integrity of the security service.
The EPS boss further cited an audit report by the General Auditing Commission (GAC), which reportedly highlighted the lack of qualifications among some of the dismissed agents.
Senator Cyrus Urges Executive to Expedite Payment for EPS Officers
In addressing the issue, Senator Cyrus called on the Liberian government to ensure the Executive settles the benefits owed to the dismissed officers.
He emphasized the critical importance of national security and urged the government to prioritize such matters to maintain peace and stability in the country. “The maintenance of peace and stability should not be taken lightly or jeopardized at the expense of the citizens,” he cautioned.
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