Punjab Hands Over Newly Constructed Barray to Accommodate Mourners in Kenema

June 1, 2022

By: Patrick A Kai

Punjab Trading Center, a distillery company based in Kenema, Eastern Sierra Leone, where it has been operating for quite a considerable period of time now, has on Tuesday 31st May 2022 handed over a newly constructed Barray to the mortuary department of the Kenema Government Hospital.

Giving an overview of the construction of the newly constructed sitting facility, the Manager of Punjab Trading Center, Victoria Vanday Bernard, informed stakeholders that even though profit maximization is their aim, however, they do not lose sight of their Corporate Social Responsibility underscoring how such is part of their social mandate as a business entity. She highlighted how the company also supports the education, and agricultural sectors among others.

“The request for a Barray to the company was originally made by the Mayor of the Kenema City Council, Thomas Bayoh,” she disclosed furthering that as a company that is situated within the Nyanyawa Community of Kenema their intention was to implement the project within that vicinity but after several stakeholders’ engagements the company decided to implement the aforementioned project at the mortuary department which for years has been without any comfortable sitting accommodation for people whose deceased relatives, friends, and other loved ones are in the facility to be handed over for burial.

She informed that they initially budgeted about Fifty Million Leones (Le 50,000,000.00) for the implementation of the project which started in November 2021 but stated that the budget had to be revisited due to skyrocketing prices of building materials and high payment for services rendered.

In his brief statement, the District Medical Officer (DMO), Dr. Donald Grant, first extended his profound appreciation to the Management of Punjab Trading Center and the Mayor of the Kenema City Council for facilitating the development process and the kind gesture.

He noted that no matter what commitment a Government can make it cannot provide all the needs the citizenry may require underscoring the importance of the role the private sector could play in enhancing development.

Dr. Donald mentioned how the leadership of the Kenema City Council was engaged and informed about the need for a place where mourners can wait until they are given clearance to collect the bodies of their deceased loved ones for interment.

The DMO continued that the Mayor assured of engaging companies in the township for the said project.

He emphasized that the implementation of the project is vital and timely, especially as the rains have started dropping and used the opportunity to call on other companies and stakeholders to emulate the positive move by Punjab Trading Center in terms of providing water tanks which would serve as reservoir for the mortuary as well as other facilities for the successful functionality of the hospital.

On his part, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Eastern Regional Manager lauded the company for undertaking such a project.

Abdul Bah maintained that they were informed about the project during its implementation phase and were paying periodic visits. He continued that during his visitations, he noted that it was truly the felt need of the people when he saw them sitting under the uncompleted ‘barray’ which was still under construction.

As the agency that regulates the distillery company, the Manager commended Punjab for adhering to rules and regulations.

He claimed that the hospital is the first to benefit from such a facility in the country and further pleaded with them to use the structure for its intended purpose and not to deprive mourners.

Joint Statement on a Recent Commentary Viciously Attacking the Chinese Leader Published by Awoko

May 23, 2022

We, Sierra Leone China Friendship Society, Sierra Leone China Friendship Association (SilCHA), Sierra Leone China Foundation and Sino-Sierra Leone Alumni Association (SISLAA), are shocked to find a recent commentary in Awoko Newspaper with the title “Has Xi Jinping lost the plot?” by a certain Joseph Amara, making vicious attacks on H.E. Chinese President Xi Jinping.

We strongly condemn the writer of the above-mentioned article. We are also seriously concerned and disappointed with the Awoko Newspaper for giving the platform for such one-sided, ignorant, malicious and provoking attacks against the great leader of one of Sierra Leone and Africa’s true and trusted partner and brother.

As is known by all, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Mr. Xi Jinping at its core, China has made great achievements, lifting over 700 million Chinese people out of poverty in the past few decades, contributing more than 70% to global poverty reduction. Last year, although continuing to face the COVID-19 pandemic, China’s economy maintained rapid recovery and development, with its GDP reaching 17.7 trillion US dollars, an increase of 8.1% and accounting for 18% of the world’s total. We have full confidence in China’s continually stable economic development.

And all the achievements would not be possible without China’s unique democratic system: the whole-process people’s democracy. Under the leadership of CPC with Xi Jinping at the core, the Party’s overall leadership has been strengthened, the country’s governance system and capacity have been more modernized, the Chinese people’s principal position in political and social life is further consolidated. The Chinese people’s democratic rights and freedom have been further enhanced and are better than in those countries that preach democracy and human rights.

As Sierra Leone-China friendship organizations and the ones that know China much better than many others, we fully understand China’s dynamic zero-COVID policy, which is aimed at bringing COVID-19 under control at the minimum social cost in the shortest time possible so as to effectively protect the health, normal life and production of the 1.4 billion Chinese people to the maximum. This strategy has been proven to be very successful and is suitable to China’s situation. China has been helping Africa especially Sierra Leone sincerely and significantly in various ways and sectors. Her leader deserves utmost respect and appreciation, rather than being viciously attacked and cursed. The Awoko Newspaper should not have been part of the ill-intentioned campaign by the west to smear China and her leader.

We believe that our Sierra Leonean brothers and sisters will not be misled and perturbed by such nonsenses as unleashed by that Joseph Amara. Sierra Leone China Friendship Society Sierra Leone China Friendship Association (SilCHA) Sierra Leone China Foundation Sino-Sierra Leone Alumni Association (SISLAA).

Young Political Activist Vouch Never to Return Home

May 20, 2022

By Mary Kabay

Mohamed Barrie, a Sierra Leonean who has been away from Sierra Leone for a couple of years now does not intend to return home for various obvious reasons. It is due to the political activism he had engaged himself in while staying away in Germany.

This activism has taken the form of social and traditional media campaigns in which he has been very critical of the current government in power. Barrie hails from the southern town of Koribondo, BO district, a place dominated by die-hard supporters of SLPP.

Due to love for his country and displeased with the way the country is being run and his criticism has not spared any government ministry, department or agency. He has no reservations about the ” hard economic times, tribalism, heavy-handedness, and gross human rights abuses.

The government has been uneasy about Barrie’s campaign that has been gaining momentum and exposing them to the opposition. The high rate of unemployment, intimidation and arbitrary arrests and incarcerations, and he thinks the government is not right about so many things since coming to power in 2018. His Facebook page paints a grim picture of events back home. This has been viewed by the ruling government as an attempt to put spanners in the “good works of the government”.

Government operatives have made him a target and have set themselves to either ” arrest, intimidate, or silent him.” For these threats and imminent danger to his life he doesn’t plan to return to his home country. His campaign has been likened to that of “Adebayor” (social media political propagandist) of “love Salone en lef bad heart” fame. He has been viewed as being “disrespectful” to the president and the government generally. The arrests of Alfred Paolo Conteh, Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, Sylvia Olayinka Blyden and very recently Kemoh Sesay (Opposition Party Members) have strengthened his resolve never to return home.

The clampdown on teachers who attempted to hold a rally and who also aired their views on television are typical instances that make his concerns right about not wanting to return. The United States government has recently released a damning report about the handling of human rights issues in the country. So Mohamed Barrie is on the wanted list of party die-hard supporters so he would rather seek asylum in Germany for now.

Cabinet Ministers Benefit from One Day E-Cabinet Training

May 20, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In order to enhance the capacity of Ministers in using technology to present Government programs and policies through electronic means one-day training session for Cabinet Ministers on E-Cabinet at the Brookfields hotel on the 17th May 2022.

E- Cabinet system is a paperless initiative that consolidates all Cabinet activities by linking all ministries. The system can be accessed and used by all government Ministers to transmit Cabinet papers for Cabinet consideration and discussions, while enabling Cabinet to coordinate their business as well as track progress with ease.

President Bio’s Human Capital Development drives has no boundaries. He believes in the empowerment of the human being through digital means and the Ministers are no exception. In his aspiration to drive the digital Transformation of Sierra Leone, Cabinet meetings are now electronically conducted. Therefore, the Ministers are undergoing training on how to use the E-Cabinet platform to perform their cabinet duties such as Presenting Cabinet papers and other functions. The President has always emphasized on the use of technology in solving problems associated with governance. This E-cabinet will definitely cut the huge cost expended on paper and other stationery.

Technology is now ingrained in governance all over the world and Sierra Leone under the astute leadership of President Julius Maada Bio has caught up with the rest of the world. Even at cabinet level, new digital technologies are supporting the decision making processes, ensuring transparency of executive decision making, cutting down high cost of preparing cabinet documentations, and dealing with the challenge of poor document control and approval systems.

This is a significant progress because instead of cabinet members having read through hundreds of pages of cabinet documents, they can now search and scan documents faster, saving time and enabling them to drill deeper into issues under consideration.

Furthermore, in the present COVID-19 world, where remote work and meetings are the norm, the E-cabinet platform enables cabinet members to participate remotely.

JOB & Other SLPP Heavyweights in Kailahun Appeased

May 20, 2022

By Esther Wright

Former SLPP District Council Chairman, Kailahun, National Chairman and Leader of the party and onetime presidential hopeful, John Oponjo Benjamin was asked or prevailed on , over the weekend, to embrace members of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) onboard regardless of all what may have transpired.

That appeal was made by the party’s District Chairman, Gbessay Jusu Jaka Ngobeh (Chucky), during a special programme celebrating recent sons of the soil who are Presidential appointees across various roles in Government by President Julius Maada Bio.

These include Benjamin as Special Presidential Adviser and Ambassador- at Large, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara as Deputy Minister, Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Sierra Leone’s Permanent Rep to the U.N., H.E. (Rtd Col) Fanday Turay and Director General of Service Delivery, Office of the Chief Minister Edward Kamara.

Speaking at the jam-packed festive-laced Segbwema playing field with thousands in attendance, Chucky recognized that many hurts had happened internally, but now is the time to heal. In the party’s interest, J.O.B. should let bygones be bygones and work to solidify the party’s unity and stability ahead of the crucial 2023 elections, the Chairman emphasized.

Openly and amid thunderous applause, Chucky asked for forgiveness from J.O.B. if he had hurt him during the ‘family feud’ and stressed that for the chances of the party to increase without a run-off, Benjamin had a critical role to play in the district and nationally.

In his response, J.O.B. first thanked the chiefdom for the beautiful reception given to them during his first official return home together with the other appointees. He said that they are all coming together for the party stressing, “HE has agreed that all of us must come together to work in the interest of the party.”

The Presidential Adviser promised to play his part in holding the party together to retain peace and stability. “We are all working together. We will engage with other stakeholders, and let’s leave the past to the past,” he said.

On a cautionary note, the Kailahun strongman from Segbwema said their appointments should not be seen as a free ride. He asked all of them should prove by their work that it was not a mistake made by President Bio to bring them on board the governance process of the New Direction administration.

“Let’s work hard and strive for political peace,” J.O.B. concludes.

Chairman of the occasion, Resident Minister East, appealed for all appointees to be supported to the best of everyone’s abilities in unity.

The Paramount Chief said he was glad about the appointments and that it was not a mistake by the President.

All other speakers, including the appointees, Deputy Minister Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara and Edward Kamara, spoke on the need for party unity and national cohesion.

Aziz-Kamara said he was humbled by the show of love given to them by the people of Njaluahun Chiefdom and the entire district. He had no regret serving his country under the leadership of President Bio. “I believe and trust in the vision of H.E.,” he said.

A display of traditional dancers and masked devils and the return to the podium to make speeches from partisans who had otherwise taken a back seat from mainstream SLPP partisan politics but seem to have been reenergized marked the occasion.

One such speaker was former party Secretary-General, Lawyer Sulaiman Banja Tejan Sie, who said that the entire Western Area he hails from is poised to throw support as a united front to the SLPP as they seek to request a fresh mandate in 2023.

New Anti-Trafficking Think Tank in Sierra Leone to Help Combat Child Trafficking

May 20, 2022

Anti-Trafficking Think Tank in Sierra Leone.jpg

By Esther Wright

A new anti-trafficking think tank based in Sierra Leone will advise and assist on current efforts to reduce child trafficking in the country and help create a sustainable national plan to combat human trafficking long term.

The think tank is founded by the African Programming & Research Initiative to End Slavery (APRIES) at the University of Georgia’s Center on Human Trafficking Research & Outreach (CenHTRO), which conducts projects to estimate and reduce the prevalence of child trafficking in Sierra Leone.

The APRIES think tank consultants are Sia Lajaku-Williams, Reuben Lewis, and Haja Wurie, who hold expertise in the areas of programming, policy analysis, and research, respectively. They will boost the profile of APRIES’ anti-trafficking research and programs, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. The consultants will also help develop and strengthen plans for Sierra Leone to sustainably combat human trafficking after the APRIES grant ends.

“For international research and programming collaborations to be successful and sustainable, local ownership, participation, and contributions are critical,” said CenHTRO Director Dr. David Okech. “Honoring local tacit knowledge and expertise is a win-win for CenHTRO and the countries we work in. We are looking forward to working with Dr. Wurie, Dr. Lewis, and Mrs. Lajaku-Williams in entrenching and sustaining our initiatives in the country.”

APRIES research found that a high number of children in Sierra Leone’s Eastern Province will experience child trafficking before turning 18. This research informs projects designed by APRIES that aim to reduce child trafficking by improving local, regional, and national response to the issue.

The think tank will help APRIES conduct its mission by writing for public and academic audiences, making media appearances on APRIES’ behalf, networking with anti-trafficking stakeholders, and other strategic activities that spread awareness about human trafficking in Sierra Leone.

Programs consultant Sia Lajaku-Williams has almost two decades of experience managing and overseeing the implementation of child protection, education, and child labor programs in and around Sierra Leone. She currently works as a child protection programming and safeguarding consultant, supporting the work of various local and international NGOs in Sierra Leone. Throughout her career, Lajaku-Williams has served groups of vulnerable children and young people within Sierra Leone, and understands the legislative framework and systems that support the effective implementation of programs around child labor, child trafficking, education, and community engagement.

“I’m very passionate about child protection issues and child trafficking is very prevalent,” Lajaku-Williams said. “Whatever way I can support to address this issue, I want to make sure that I do that.”

Policy consultant Reuben Lewis currently lectures at the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. As a consultant, he has worked with national, regional, and international institutions on issues of migration and border management. Lewis helped draft Sierra Leone’s National Migration Policy and conducted research on human trafficking and irregular migration in West Africa. His previous posts include the European University Institute in Florence, Italy, and the Hiroshima Peacebuilders Center in Japan.

“I’m excited to get involved in developing policies that will be responsive to countering human trafficking and especially child trafficking,” Lewis said.

Using a multidisciplinary approach, research consultant Haja Wurie delivers development-focused research for effective policymaking and practice. She has conducted research on many national issues in Sierra Leone, generating evidence that informed government policy and donor strategies for building resilient and responsive systems. She also provided technical assistance to the health systems strengthening process in Sierra Leone post Ebola, working with in-country and international teams on the development of the healthcare recovery plan.

“One of the things that stands out for me about the [APRIES] program is that it has brought in local consultants that can bring embedded insights,” Wurie said. “I think that goes a long way in supporting local ownership, local leadership, and sustainability.”

500 New Landlords Emerge after Successful Raffle Draw -Via Ministry of Lands

May 20, 2022

Ministry of Lands Housing and Country Planning.jpg

By Amin Kef Sesay

It has been attested by many that this medium has interacted with that the leadership of Dr. Turad Senesie at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning continues to raise high the flag of transparency, fairness and responsible governance in the lands sector in the eyes of the citizens and the international community, with most pointing at the latest move being the process of identifying Sierra Leoneans for allocation of plots of State land for residential purposes.

Unprecedentedly, the latest land raffle draw organized by the Lands Ministry turned a total of five hundred Sierra Leoneans from the civil service, security forces, medical sector, teaching field and journalism to become the newest set of landlords after winning the land raffle in which over four thousand applicants participated.

The raffle took place on May 12 2022 at the forecourt of Youyi Building in Freetown in the presence of representatives from the Anti-Corruption Commission, Parliament, Civil Society, Journalists, applicants and members of the general public.

The list of winners from the raffle is expected to be published this week after the auditors would have completed the verification process to ascertain and ensure that all the winners meet the eligibility criteria.

It could be recalled that the raffle application announcement invited Sierra Leoneans who have served in the sectors of security, civil service, medical, press and teaching for a period of at least five years.

The Land Raffle Model of allocation of State land to Sierra Leoneans was first introduced in December 2021, when the Ministry, for the first time in the history of land administration and management publicly announced the availability of 200 Plots of State land and invited members of the public to apply.

Over seven thousand Sierra Leoneans applied for that opportunity in December.

It has been agreed that the land raffle model has turned out to be the most transparent, fair and credible model to ensure Sierra Leoneans get easy access to land for various purposes.

Housemates Season 3 to Kick-Start on Sunday May 22

May 20, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

The organizers of Housemates Salone Season 3 with the slogan “Di Game Get Yagba, If You Nor Able Na for Pull Hand” , AYV Media Empire and Africell Sierra Leone, made it a mandatory criterion that all the vying aspirants for the Reality TV Show, who went through the audition process and were shortlisted for public voting must undergo compulsory medical tests.

Indeed, it was the Chief Executive Officer of Sing Song Medical Services, Dr. Joseph A.K Kamara, during a Press Engagement who revealed that it is very significant for the aspirants to know their health status which is why they will be medically tested in order to protect the reputation of the AYV Media Empire, where the Show will be hosted, further assuring that the test results will not be disclosed to anyone but rather will remain strictly confidential.

To actualize that stance into reality, on the 16th and 17^th May, 2022 all the aspiring contestants were medically tested by the Sing Song Medical Services. The 60 contestants for Housemates Salone Season 3 successfully underwent thorough medical tests for physical fitness and various ailments.

However, it must be noted that public voting continues to get twenty-two out of the current sixty (60) contesting aspirants who are presently stiffly competing to secure the highly coveted twenty-two (22) spaces and such will come to an end until 7:00pm on the 22^nd May, 2022.

Organizers of the Reality TV Show, the Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire and Africell-SL thought it wise that to make it very democratic, by the giving all the aspirants an equal opportunity, to come up with channels through which members of the public could cast their votes in order to determine those who will qualify to enter the House shortly prior to the commencement of the competition. To vote for a particular aspirant, members of the public could easily send the numbers of their favourite candidates via SMS to: 5500 or Dial *5500#. For International voting an individual can call: +23299005500.

The numbers referred to here are not the telephone numbers of the aspirants but rather those that were assigned to each of them ranging from 1 to 60.

Members of the public are also at liberty to cast their votes via Afrimoney through voters’ Africell Sim Cards by dialing *161*10#* plus the Numbers of their favourite contestants from any Africell line or code.

There is also a new online voting platform and a brand new website for international voters across the world to vote using credit or debit cards by just visiting: https://housematessl.com and/or visit: https://www.africell.sl.

Once Housemates Salone Season 3 commences on the 22^nd May 2022 members of the public could watch it live 24/7 on AYV Entertainment Channels 34 & 33 and AYV on DSTV Channel 399.

The good news is that AYV in partnership with MultiChoice Africa Holdings (MAH) has opened AYV DStv Channel 399 to Nigeria and Ghana on 19th May 2022 which will bring onboard all viewers in Nigeria and Ghana who can now view Channel 399.

This is a unique opportunity to showcase the Sierra Leonean story and in particular Season 3 of Housemates Salone to the continent’s most populous and known nations for entertainment – Nigeria and Ghana.

Indisputably, AYV believes that the Sierra Leonean story must not be limited by boundaries but must be seen and heard across nations, continents and the world.

What is in store for the Housemate that will emerge as the ultimate winner of the competition is a Star Prize of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Leones (Le 250M) plus a round trip to Dubai.

Also, one of the sponsors of the Reality TV Show, Zarlux Car Rental, has revealed that a brand new car will be given to the winner of the Zarlux Car Rental task that will be performed by the Housemates in the House during the course of the show.

Members of the public should know that their votes do matter and as a result they must step up the pace at which they are voting for their favourite Housemates as the countdown narrows down.

Prioritizing Customer Care is a Defining Mantra of NP-SL

May 20, 2022

NP-SL: Held in Esteem for Being Foremost as a Resilient Company

By Amin Kef Sesay

There is no doubt that NP-Sierra Leone Limited is highly known for prioritizing customer care and taking it to the highest pedestal in the country. Indeed such is indisputable when cognizance is taken of how Management is very keen in optimizing customer satisfaction in its service delivery on different fronts.

Members of staff of the company are very mindful of the fact that it is the customer that comes first and therefore needs the utmost attention always ensuring that transactions are conducted under a congenial atmosphere that always result into a win-win situation.

Through this brilliant and managerial initiative, the company has been making positive headways, positioning it to stand tall among other business entities in this part of the world.

The well-established oil marketing company is also relentlessly enhancing its strides to always ensure that imported petroleum products are available on the market and easily accessible to its numerous and esteemed customers. Management of the company has made it a matter of must for these products to be present in all the nook and cranny of the country.

Amidst various challenges that the company has encountered it has, however, successfully weathered those storms that could have dwarfed it or exposed it to extinction, save therapeutic intermittent Managerial injections that keep it upright and on the right course.

Demonstrating its true Sierra Leonean identity the company has maintained a policy of strictly adhering to the Local Content Policy ensuring that it has a maximum indigenous staff in its employ. What this actually means is empowering our brothers and sisters to access employment opportunities and reduce poverty.

As a matter of fact some members of staff continue to benefit from various trainings that have afforded them the conduit to imbibe useful skills to efficiently carry out certain assigned tasks. If we are counting the number of companies that have upheld the Local Content Policy, without any iota of doubt, NP-SL could be seen at the top.

1st for Customer Care was earned by the company because it has been widely acclaimed by many for solidly executing such.

In its drive to optimize customer satisfaction the company went the extra mile to install calibrated pumping machines which are not only modern but trustworthy, as opposed to old pumping machines which certain unscrupulous individuals used to cheat unassuming customers.

This is helping to repose confidence in customers that they are dealing with a very transparent entity. The friendliness of their pump attendants is very impressive and they are always there to timely respond to various concerns.

Still within the purview of 1st for Customer Care, the company is always in a position to enter into payment plans with its reliable and dependable customers including Ministries, Departments and Agencies for supplied fuel and lubricants as long as all the necessary modalities have been put in place.

When cognizance is taken of the fact that some of these institutions receive intermittent budgetary allocations then such an arrangement is very significant. Its significance in real terms borders on functional continuity of those institutions as they will be assured of supplies of petroleum products in as much as they keep honouring their obligations.

For those who have not tried NP Gas for the first time it is now time to give it a try. Designed in sizable varying cylinders and sold at various NP Filling Stations, this cooking device has been rated as one of the best that is on offer for sale. NP Gas is safe, user friendly and portable. Trying it will spur you to recommend it to others.

NP Smart Card is now in vogue and is one of the latest technological devices used to purchase petroleum products. Using it has attendant advantages as evident in procuring fuel at any time of the day even during times when monies could not be accessed from banks. It is secured, easy to use and very quick. It is now trending.

To crystallize proposed projects into tangible realities on the ground, Government needs the required financial resources to effectively do so and one sure way is from collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA). NP is one big tax payer to Government and it has been doing so timely.

NP-SL remains undaunted, unperturbed amidst all the challenges it is going through and conscientiously it is steadily contributing to the socio-economic development of the country as well as positively changing communities and lives.

Joint Communiqué Signed for Work Permits, Resident Permits & Passports to have NINs

May 20, 2022

National Identification Number (NIN).jpg

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a Joint Communiqué, dated 16th May 2022, which is to come into effect on the 1^st June 2022, by the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), the Immigration Department of Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security with the signatures of Fatmata Mustapha, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour & Social Security at REG Immigration Department, Andrew Jaiah Kai Kai, Chief Immigration Officer, Mohamed M. Massaquoi the Director General of NCRA, it was stated that effective 1st June 2022 all applications for Work Permit, Resident Permit, Passport and other Immigration Services must include the National Identification Number (NIN) issued by the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA).

It must be noted that the security features of the NIN ensures people have one unique identity recorded thereby removing cases of double or multiple identities per person which may have security implications, may lead to pranks, identity manipulations and fraud.

Also stated was that the institutions signing the Joint Communiqué are urging the general public to cooperate by providing the required mandatory field mentioned herein- the NIN.

Highlighted was that, in fulfillment of their respective legal mandates and ensuring compliance with a Cabinet Conclusion of 2nd March, 2022 and the subsequent Ratification of an Agreement between the National Civil Registration Authority and Constrat Systems SL LTD dated 17^th March, 2022 for the production of Biometric and Securitized National, ECOWAS Compliant and Non-National Identity Cards, ID Verification System and Public Key Infrastructure featuring a unique, non-repeatable and non-reusable National Identification Number (NIN) the following aforementioned authorities decided to establish a link between the mandatory use of the unique National Identification Number (NIN) to access services that include but not limited to Immigration Services, Resident and Work Permits.