A united delegation of Paramount Chiefs from Kenema District has on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 called on the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) to introduce mobile ID card services for rural communities in a bid to ensure equal access to vital national services.
Led by Senior District Officer (SDO), Haroun Kan Turay, the traditional leaders paid an unannounced but purposeful visit to the NCRA district office in Kenema where they met with the District Registration Officer (DRO) and the Regional Registration Officer (RRO) East. Their key demand was the establishment of a community-based service delivery model that would take National ID Card issuance directly into chiefdoms.
The Chiefs expressed concern over the difficulties faced by rural residents, particularly the elderly and physically challenged, in traveling to the district headquarters to secure their ID cards.
“The National ID Card is the gateway to essential services,” one Paramount Chief emphasized. “We want to ensure our people, no matter where they live, are not left behind.”
The delegation included Paramount Chief Sandi Fowai of Dama Chiefdom, Paramount Chief Madam Mariama Sandy of Nyawa Chiefdom, Regent Chief of Nomo Chiefdom, Chief Ishmael Koroma (Chiefdom Speaker, Small Bo) and Hon. Ibrahim Koroma of Gorama Mende Chiefdom.
Responding to their concerns, DRO Kenema welcomed the proposal and reaffirmed NCRA’s commitment to exploring innovative outreach programmes to deliver registration and identification services directly to remote areas. Both parties agreed to maintain close engagement to bring the mobile service plan to fruition.
The Paramount Chiefs’ advocacy underscores the critical role the National ID Card plays in everyday life, as it is required for:
- Financial transactions and opening bank accounts
- Vehicle purchase and registration
- Job applications and professional registration
- NASSIT enrollment
- Property transactions and documentation
- School admissions and national examinations
- SIM card registration
- Birth, marriage and death registration
- Immigration services and passport applications
- Business registration and startup processes
In his response, NCRA Director General, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, assured the Chiefs and the SDO that His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has directed the Authority to expand Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) and ID services to communities nationwide. He stressed that the National Identification Number (NIN), by law, is central to accessing services and opportunities across the country.
Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi noted that the Chiefs’ position aligns with the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee on ensuring universal ID card coverage and registration, pledging that “no one will be left behind.”
