By Ibrahim Sesay
The Sierra Leone Immigration Department (SLID), under the leadership of Chief Immigration Officer (CIO) Dr. Moses Tiffa Baio, Esq., has extended its decentralisation programme to Bo City, marking another milestone in the Government’s drive to improve access to public services across the country.
The launch, held on Thursday, 11 June 2026, follows the successful establishment of similar immigration service centres in Kenema and Makeni. The initiative is designed to ensure that citizens can access essential immigration services closer to their communities without travelling to Freetown.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Chairman of the event, Edward Aiah Ngaujah, described the occasion as more than a formal launch, saying it reflected the Government’s commitment to improving service delivery.
He commended the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Chief Immigration Officer for their efforts, noting that decentralisation would save citizens the time and cost previously associated with travelling to the capital to obtain passports and other immigration services. He also thanked President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for supporting policies aimed at enhancing public service delivery.
Bo City Mayor Kobba Musa welcomed the initiative and urged residents to protect and make good use of the facility. He recalled that many citizens previously spent weeks in Freetown seeking passports and related services, describing the new development as a major relief. He further encouraged other ministries, departments and agencies to adopt similar decentralisation programmes.
The Paramount Chief of Bo Kakua Chiefdom praised the initiative, describing it as a commendable achievement and a significant moment for the people of Bo and the Southern Region.
The Chairman of Civil Society in Bo and the Southern Region also lauded the project, stating that while decentralisation had been discussed for many years, numerous challenges had delayed its implementation. He expressed confidence that the facility would benefit not only residents of Bo but people across the entire Southern Region.
Representatives of key partners also highlighted the significance of the project. A representative of Net Page, the passport production company, said they were pleased to have fulfilled the promise of decentralising passport services, adding that the process required careful planning but all necessary systems were now operational.
The Chief Executive Officer of Constrats Systems Sierra Leone Limited said it was an honour to support the implementation of the country’s unified electronic residence and work permit system. He explained that the public-private partnership involving the Government, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Immigration Department had already produced positive results.
According to him, the 50-year agreement commenced in January 2026, while nationwide enforcement of the new system began on 1 June 2026. He noted that bringing services closer to citizens would improve access, efficiency and transparency, while also creating jobs and increasing government revenue.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs described CIO Dr. Moses Tiffa Baio as a results-oriented leader and encouraged citizens to make proper use of the facility. He stressed the importance of maintaining integrity and professionalism in the delivery of immigration services.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Bo District Council welcomed the initiative, describing it as a progressive step that would contribute to more efficient and effective public service delivery.
In his address, Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Moses Tiffa Baio thanked President Julius Maada Bio for the confidence reposed in him and said his appointment was intended to support the reform and rebranding of the Immigration Department.
He disclosed that with the successful establishment of centres in Kenema, Makeni and Bo, plans were underway to extend decentralised immigration services to every district in Sierra Leone.
The CIO also thanked the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd. AIG Morie Lengor, and urged immigration officers to uphold professionalism and integrity. He announced that all passport and immigration applications are now expected to be processed through the new online system and advised members of the public to avoid direct dealings with immigration personnel.
He explained that the digital platform would promote transparent pricing, improve service delivery and significantly reduce opportunities for corruption and extortion. Dr. Baio further reminded foreign nationals residing in Sierra Leone to register with the Immigration Department and called on citizens to support national security by reporting suspicious immigration-related activities.
Director of Policy and Coordination at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mohamed Yokie, conveyed goodwill messages on behalf of the Minister, who was unable to attend the event.
Delivering the keynote address, the Resident Minister for the Southern Region thanked President Bio and the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Immigration Department for bringing the service to Bo. He described the initiative as historic, noting that it was the first time citizens could apply for passports directly from the city.
He urged residents across the 44 chiefdoms in the Southern Region to make effective use of the opportunity.
The event concluded with an inspection tour of the new Immigration Office in Bo and a group photograph involving dignitaries and invited guests.
