By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
As the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) continues the nationwide rollout of National Identification Card registration, residents in Lungi are voicing growing frustrations over the absence of registration centres in their chiefdom. Many say the current arrangement, which requires them to travel long distances to district headquarters, is costly, time-consuming, and risks excluding the most vulnerable citizens.
At present, residents of Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom must travel to the NCRA office in Port Loko Town to process or collect their ID cards, a journey that can take several hours and incur significant transport expenses. This, they argue, defeats the purpose of a national exercise intended to be inclusive and accessible to all.
“We are part of this country too,” said Mariama Conteh, a fish trader at the Tintafor Market. “I have been to Port Loko twice now, and each time I was told to come back because the system was down. I have spent over NLe 300 already on transport. What about our old people and those who cannot afford this?”
The situation has sparked renewed calls for decentralisation of the process. Residents argue that establishing NCRA registration and collection centres at the chiefdom level particularly in highly populated areas like Lungi would ensure broader participation and help the government meet its target of registering all citizens.
Alhaji Ibrahim Bangura, a retired teacher in Lungi, said that without local centres, many people may remain without valid identification. “It’s not just about the ID card; this is now the key to accessing many services from banking to voting. If we don’t have it, we are left behind. The government should bring the centres closer to the people,” he said.
Local youth groups have also added their voices to the call. Abu Bakarr Sankoh, coordinator of the Kaffu Bullom Youth Forum Yongoro section, said the challenge is a test of the government’s commitment to inclusive governance. “If the government really wants everyone to be registered, then they must remove these barriers. Bringing the service here to Lungi will show they value rural communities just as much as urban centres,” he said.
The NCRA has previously cited logistical and resource constraints as the reason for centralising operations at the district level. However, civil society organisations argue that innovative measures such as mobile registration units and temporary chiefdom offices could help bridge the gap.
For many in Lungi, the issue is not only about convenience but about fairness. “It feels like we are being asked to run a race but the starting line is miles away,” said Fatu Koroma, a mother of three who is yet to collect her card. “We are Sierra Leoneans, and this is our right.”
As the national exercise continues, residents here say they will keep pressing for a more decentralised approach one that ensures every citizen, regardless of location, has equal access to this vital document. Whether the government will heed their call remains to be seen, but for now, frustration continues to mount in the heart of Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday,15th August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
