By Sulaiman Aruna Sesay

The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has urged all citizens to obtain National Identity Card as it is very vital to have. NCRA in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the National Security (ONS) wishes to inform the general public that a Cabinet Directive Rectified by Parliament in March, 2022 provides for the mandatory link of the Identification Cards (National, Non-National and ECOWAS) with the National Identification Number (NIN) inscribed on the ID Cards to access services.

NCRA noted that, citizen cannot be able to access services that include the following: Transactions with Financial Institutions (Banks,Forex Bureau, Insurance, etc); Vehicle Registration and Licensing, Recruitment into Public, and Private Institutions for consistency in personal information and verification, NASSIT Enrolment, Land and Property Registration, Enrolment in Educational Institutions including Public Exams, Sim Card Registration, Vital Events Registration, Immigration Services, Residence/Work Permits, and Business Registration and Incorporation without the National ID.

The general public is hereby advised to obtain any of the Identification Cards as may be applicable from any of the NCRA Offices or other Centres designated for insurance of ID Cards across the country latest Friday, 31st March 2024. It is important to know that the National and Non-National ID Cards are mandatory while ECOWAS card is optional.

The general public is further informed that the National Civil Registration Authority and the Security Sector will jointly collaborate to enforce compliance with the Cabinet Directive and its Parliamentary Rectification effective 1st April 2024. This is to ensure that residents (citizens and foreign) are reliably identified and have consistency in their personal information irrespective of the use or purpose. Note: The Identification Cards bearing the National Identification Number (NIN) is a primary source of personal identification in Sierra Leone.