By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Sierra Leone is witnessing a surge in demand for National and Non-National Identity Cards, as access to key public and private services increasingly requires possession of these cards. Across the country, long queues have increased outside National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) offices, with citizens eager to obtain their identification documents.
In a recent move to support inclusivity, NCRA Director General, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, announced the waiver of fees for National ID cards for persons with disabilities in three communities across the Western Area.
During a nationwide inspection of several NCRA district and regional offices, NCRA Chairman, Sorie Fofana, highlighted the need for decentralizing certain services to the chiefdom level, acknowledging that citizens have made a convincing case for easier access to ID card services.
Chairman Sorie Fofana assured that he would collaborate closely with the Director General to expedite the decentralization of essential services. He revealed that the Authority is actively establishing service outlets in hard-to-reach areas to improve accessibility. The first such outlet has been inaugurated at Mile 91 in Tonkolili District, with another planned for Lungi in Port Loko District.
“The number of applicants for National and Non-National ID cards continues to rise nationwide,” Chairman Sorie Fofana said, emphasizing the importance of making the services accessible to all citizens.
He also commended the Management of Constract Systems (SL) Limited for their professionalism. The company is responsible for producing and printing National, Non-National and ECOWAS Identity Cards in Sierra Leone.
With these initiatives, NCRA aims to ensure that more Sierra Leoneans can secure official identification, a vital requirement for accessing essential services across the country.
