1 Comment 
Residents in Kambia District have expressed their dissatisfaction over the inflated price of the National Identification Card, which costs NLe 220 in their region, significantly higher than the official rate of NLe 145. They are calling for government intervention to address this issue.
The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) established the NLe 145 fee to ensure the ID card remains affordable, as it is crucial for accessing essential services, including healthcare, education, banking, and travel.
Speaking to SierraEye Magazine, Mariama Conteh, a Kukuna resident in Bramaia Chiefdom, expressed her concerns, stating, “This is an undue burden on us. Many people in remote towns and villages are facing similar situations. We are already living on scarce resources, and we have to farm and sell before we can pay for our ID cards.” She urged the government to take immediate action and for the NCRA to investigate the situation.
Fatima Bangura, a local teacher, echoed Conteh’s sentiments and called for a review of the ID card fees, emphasizing that access to identification is a fundamental human right. “By raising the cost, the government is effectively excluding a significant portion of the population from obtaining this essential document,” she said. Bangura urged the NCRA to reconsider the increase and work with local communities to find a fairer solution, insisting that identity should not come at an unfair price.
While the government has yet to release an official statement regarding the price increase, Ibrahim Yalansorie Kamara, the Regional Registration Officer for the Northwest, explained to SierraEye that the agreed fee for remote areas is NLe 185, which includes allowances and transportation costs for staff traveling to these communities. “This was a unanimous decision made during stakeholder engagements, which was communicated to local leaders, including Paramount Chiefs, before the exercise began,” he said.
Amid rising public dissent, young residents in Kukuna town believe that the government may be compelled to take action. They warn that failure to address the issue could undermine public trust in government institutions, particularly given the current economic challenges.
The demand for National ID cards has surged following a recent government announcement requiring residents to link their phone SIM cards to their National Identification Number (NIN) and other relevant information from their ID cards. Failure to comply may result in SIM card deactivation, preventing individuals from making phone calls.
In pujehun town we pay 165 Leone for ID card because according to the IT specialist we have to pay for the internet I asked her that’s why she told me that there is no internet for them so we have to go to pay for the internet so I told her I said this is Robbie you guys have Robinson should we call more angry about me but anyway I try to get my own ID card because there was a lot of cues so this is a situation we are living on for now so we are inviting and her a NRA boss to intervene in the situation if not most of the people will not able to receive the ID card