By Josephine Sesay

Minister of Internal Affairs Rtd AIG Morie Lengor Esq held a crucial engagement this week with the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. The meeting, aimed at fostering collaboration and understanding, provided an opportunity for the Minister to gain firsthand insights into the challenges and achievements of these agencies.

The session began with remarks from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mr. Alfred Lahai, who expressed his appreciation for the leadership and collaboration demonstrated by the heads of the various agencies. He outlined that the purpose of the engagement was to allow the new Minister to familiarize himself with the activities of the agencies under his purview and to discuss ways to address their challenges.

The Director General of the NCRA, Mr. Mohamed Massaquoi, presented a report on the agency’s key activities, including the delivery of essential services like the issuance of National Identity Cards and birth certificates. He emphasized that public trust in the agency has grown, particularly concerning the security of biometric data. However, he called for the fast-tracking of the review process for the NCRA Act, urging the Minister to address emerging challenges and adapt to new developments in their operations.

Chief Andrew Jaiah Kaikai, Executive Director of the NDLEA, shared his agency’s accomplishments while highlighting critical challenges, including inadequate office space, lack of mobility, and understaffing. These issues, he noted, have hindered the agency’s ability to effectively combat drug trafficking and abuse in the country. He appealed to the Minister to provide the necessary support to address these concerns and strengthen the NDLEA’s capacity to meet its mandate.

Dr. Owizz Koroma, the Chief Medical Examiner, provided an update on the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s activities. He expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the office, citing gaps in resources and support. Dr. Koroma urged the Minister to advocate for better financial and technical backing, especially to enhance collaboration between the OCME and other critical agencies such as the Ministry of Health, the National Disaster Management Agency, and the Sierra Leone Police.

Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu represented the SLP, offering a comprehensive overview of the police force’s operations and successes. While acknowledging significant progress, he also noted areas that require improvement, particularly in terms of resources and operational capacity. The IGP reaffirmed the SLP’s commitment to supporting the Ministry in safeguarding the country’s security and achieving its broader objectives.

Representatives from SECURIPORT and NETPAGE briefed the Minister on their ongoing collaboration with the Immigration Department. They outlined their operations and assured the Minister of their continued commitment to enhancing national security, particularly at border control points.

In his closing remarks, Minister Rtd AIG Morie Lengor Esq expressed his gratitude to the agencies for their presentations and outlined several suggestions to improve their work plans. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and reassured the agencies of his ongoing engagement, offering guidance on policy review and direction to ensure the safety and security of Sierra Leone and its citizens.

The Minister’s engagement with the key agencies marks a positive step toward fostering unity, strengthening national security, and addressing the operational challenges faced by critical government bodies.