By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has issued an urgent public notice regarding the collection of unclaimed National, ECOWAS, and Non-National ID Cards. Since January 2023, the NCRA has been diligently producing and distributing these ID cards, yet a significant number remain uncollected at district offices and designated collection centers across Sierra Leone.
On Thursday, August 15, 2024, the NCRA reiterated that applicants are notified via SMS when their ID cards are ready, using the phone numbers provided during registration. Despite these efforts, many individuals have failed to collect their ID cards.
Investigations by NCRA’s Technical Teams have revealed that several applicants provided phone numbers belonging to relatives or friends, complicating the notification process. Additionally, some contact numbers given during registration have been found to be non-functional, contributing to the large backlog of uncollected cards.
To resolve this issue, the NCRA is urging all applicants who registered on or before July 31, 2024, to visit the registration or collection point where they initially applied, regardless of whether they have received an SMS notification. Applicants are advised to bring their ID card application slips to facilitate smooth collection.
In addition, the NCRA emphasized the importance of linking the National Identification Number (NIN) to mobile phone SIM cards as part of a broader initiative to enhance identity security. Between September 1 and November 30, 2024, all mobile phone users are required to link their NIN to their SIM cards to avoid service disruptions that could prevent them from making or receiving calls, sending SMS messages, or conducting mobile money transactions.
The NIN, embedded in the Biometric ID Card, is crucial for identity verification and accessing essential public and private services such as healthcare and financial transactions. A recent Cabinet directive mandates that individuals must have a Biometric ID Card to access these services, making it vital for both citizens and non-citizens to collect their cards promptly.
Beyond service access, the Biometric ID Card is key to national security, serving as a reliable form of identification at critical checkpoints, including airports and border crossings. Moreover, integrating the NIN with SIM cards strengthens efforts to combat cybercrime by enabling authorities to trace and identify individuals involved in fraudulent activities.
To streamline the collection process, the NCRA has established several registration and collection centers, including:
- NCRA Headquarters: 2 Walpole Street, Freetown
- NCRA Office: 23B Off Kingharman Road, Freetown
- NCRA Office: Kennedy Street, Freetown
- NCRA Branch Office: 230 Lumley Road, Freetown (By the Roundabout)
- NCRA Office: Waterloo, along the Freetown Highway (Opposite the Police Station)
- Regional NCRA Offices in Bo, Kenema, Makeni, and Port Loko
For more information or assistance, the NCRA can be contacted through the following channels:
– Mobile: +232 33 939740 / +232 79 578063
– Website: [www.ncra.gov.sl](http://www.ncra.gov.sl)
– Email: info@ncra.gov.sl
The NCRA also facilitates corporate issuance of Biometric ID Cards for both public and private institutions.
As the deadlines approach, all citizens and non-citizens are strongly urged to collect their Biometric ID Cards and link their NIN to their SIM cards to maintain uninterrupted service access and contribute to national security efforts.
