Post a comment The Sierra Leone Immigration Department, under the leadership of Chief Immigration Officer (CIO) Dr Moses Tiffa Baio, has expanded its decentralisation initiative to the Southern Region with the official launch of services in Bo. This follows earlier successful rollouts in Kenema and Makeni.
The initiative aims to enhance accessibility to immigration services nationwide, reducing the need for citizens to travel to Freetown.
Speaking at the launch, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Edward Aiah Ngaujah, who also chaired the event, described the occasion as more than a ceremony, noting that it represents the government’s commitment to improving public service delivery. He commended the Minister of Internal Affairs and the CIO for their efforts and praised President Julius Maada Bio for prioritising people-centred governance.
Ngaujah emphasised that decentralisation will significantly ease the burden on citizens, who previously had to travel long distances to access immigration services.
Mayor of Bo City, Kobba Musa, welcomed the initiative and called on residents to protect and make good use of the facility. He recalled the challenges people faced in the past, including prolonged stays in Freetown to obtain passports, and noted that such difficulties would now be eliminated. He further encouraged other government institutions to adopt similar decentralisation measures.
The Paramount Chief of Bo Kakua Chiefdom described the development as commendable and a major milestone for the district.
Representing civil society in the South, the Chairman expressed appreciation to the Immigration Department, noting that although decentralisation had long been discussed, its implementation had faced numerous challenges. He described the launch as a landmark achievement that would benefit not only Bo but the entire Southern Region.
A representative from Net Page, the passport production partner, confirmed that the decentralisation process, though lengthy, had now been successfully completed.
The Chief Executive Officer of Constrats Systems Sierra Leone Limited highlighted the introduction of a unified electronic system for resident and work permits.
He noted that the public-private partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone has yielded positive results, improving efficiency, transparency, and service delivery. He added that the 50-year agreement commenced in January 2026, with nationwide enforcement beginning on June 1, 2026.
He further disclosed that operational offices have been established across the country, including at border crossing points, creating employment opportunities and increasing government revenue.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs praised the CIO as results-driven and urged citizens to utilise the facility responsibly. He stressed the importance of professionalism and integrity, warning against unprofessional conduct.
Chairman of the Bo District Council described the launch as a significant step forward and expressed optimism about improved service delivery in the region.
In his address, Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Moses Tiffa Baio expressed gratitude to President Bio for his appointment and reiterated his commitment to reforming and rebranding the Immigration Department. He disclosed that plans are underway to extend decentralisation to all districts across the country.
He also urged immigration officers to uphold professionalism and called on the public to use the newly introduced online system for passport applications and other services. According to him, the digital platform will ensure transparency, standardised pricing, and eliminate opportunities for corruption.
Dr. Baio further emphasised that all foreign nationals must register with the Immigration Department and encouraged citizens to act as community watchdogs by reporting suspicious activities.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Director of Policy and Coordination Mohamed Yokie conveyed the Minister’s apologies for his absence and extended his support for the initiative.
In his keynote address, the Resident Minister for the Southern Region described the development as historic, noting that it is the first time residents can apply for passports directly from Bo. He urged all 44 chiefdoms in the region to take full advantage of the opportunity.
The event concluded with an inspection of the new Immigration Office in Bo and a group photograph.
