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Foreign-based Sierra Leonean lawyer, Eleanor Thompson has called on the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) to make national UD cards free of cost.
Thompson responded to a notice issued by the NCRA on X, emphasizing the importance of providing free ID cards to uphold the right to national identity.
“National ID cards should be free like voter ID cards,” she said on X. “The right to belong & to national identity/citizenship is a fundamental right, just like the right to vote.”
She added that citizenship should not be forced to pay for “proof of that identity/right.”
“To then enforce with state security is extorsive,” Thompson noted.
The lawyer was responding to a public notice which was issued by the NCRA last week. The notice stated that it is mandatory for citizens to have national ID cards by December 30.
“The general public is hereby informed that effective 1st January, 2025,” the notice reads.
It also urged “Heads of State institutions” providing services linked by law to the National Identification Number (NIN) to start enforcing compliance.
The notice highlighted that, starting next year, ID cards will play a crucial role in various important activities, including bank transactions, vehicle registration, recruitment for both public and private positions, NASSIT enrollment, land property registration, and enrollment in universities, among others.
The NCRA emphasized that obtaining ID cards will be mandatory, while clarifying that ECOWAS ID cards will not have the same requirement.
Although many residents have already acquired their ID cards, some have expressed concerns about the associated cost of Le 145, which they find burdensome. Additionally, there have been reports of delays at the NCRA headquarters during the registration process. Some locals believe addressing these issues could enhance accessibility and ensure that more individuals can benefit from the ID card system.
This lawyer is correct. It’s should be free and there’s no law stating it’s compulsory.
In the US you have to pay a fee for State ID.So,I totally disagree with her claim.I live in the US and the Commonwealth State I live in is mandatory to pay for your driver’s license and State ID.
When did you go to the USA? You are trying to fix your heavy burdens on the masses. Why is it that you people are so wicked and meaningless? Things are getting worst and vulnerable every day and people are crying but their cries haven’t been responses to instead killing them with such sufferings everyday. What do stand to gain after dominion leave you in due time?
Living in the misdirection tenure God help us
In fact, the registration of national identification card should not have time limit. It is a process of obtaining going. If every body registered at a goal, what will be the essence of keeping the office open?
Perfectly said