The leadership of the Sierra Leone Immigration Department, under Dr. Moses Tiffa Baio, Esq., as Chief Immigration Officer (CIO) has taken its decentralization services to the Southern Region, HQ of Bo, after successful implementations in Kenema and Makeni, in the North. The move seeks to ensure that access to immigration services becomes accessible and decentralized and in the best interest of all and sundry.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Edward Aiah Ngaujah who doubled as Chairperson of the event said that the event was not just a ceremony, but that it was a commitment of the government’s urge to improve services. He commended the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Chief Immigration Officer for a job well done and an urge to do things for people. He said that with decentralization, people no longer need to travel all the way to Freetown to access services. He equally thanked President Julius Maada Bio for the relentless efforts in making sure that things are done and in the best interest of people.

The Mayor of Bo City, Kobba Musa welcomed all and sundry during the event and used the opportunity to appreciate the decentralization. He urged people to embrace and guard the facility while thanking CIO Tiffa and the Immigration Department for a job well done. He recalled how people used to spend weeks in Freetown just to access services and to get passports. He said that such was now a thing of the past. He called on other ministries, departments and agencies to embrace more decentralization mechanisms and to see that people everywhere could get services anywhere.

The Paramount Chief of Bo Kakua Chiefdom, said that the actualization of the decentralization is very commendable, adding that the occasion is a wonderful one for the people of Bo.

The Chairman of the Civil Society, Bo/South, said that as civil right activists, they are grateful and indebted to the immigration department for such a landmark achievement. He said that for ages, there had been talks about decentralization, but stated that the same had come with several hurdles. He said that the groundbreaking achievement will benefit not just the people of Bo, but those in the entire Southern Region and even others.

The representative of Net Page, the Passport producing entity said that they were thankful to have fulfilled the decentralization promise. He said that the process took time, but that everything was now in place.

The Chief Executive Officer of Constrats System, Sierra Leone Limited, said that it was an honour to now have unified e-resident and work permit systems in Sierra Leone. He said that the public-private partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Labour, Internal Affairs and the Immigration Department has so far been showcasing positive results. He said that the modernization and effective management of residents’ and work permits was now very visible. He said that the 50-year agreement started in January, 2026 and that the nationwide enforcement commenced on the 1st June, 2026. He said that the launch reflects not just decentralization, but also improved service delivery. He said that when services are closer to people, there’d be room for more access, efficiency and transparency. He added that operational offices have now been sorted almost nationwide and at crossing points. He touched on how such a move has created employment opportunities and has equally increased income for the State. He ended by calling for general collaboration so that the operations would be a success.

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs, said that the Chief Immigration Officer, has proven to be result-driven. He urged people to make use of the facility and to have the correct and required documents. He calls on all to showcase ownership and to maintain integrity. He discouraged unprofessional acts and to see that everyone does what was required of him or her and to ensure that things work accordingly and as expected.

The Bo District Council Chairman, stated that the launch was a novelty and that Bo City welcomed the initiative with open arms. He said that they look forward to seeing efficient and effective services, noting that what has happened was a step in the right direction.

In his talk, Sierra Leone’s Chief Immigration Officer, Dr. Moses Tiffa Baio thanked President Julius Maada Bio for the appointment and stated that he was given the position to help in reforming and rebranding the Immigration Department. He said that with Kenema, Makeni and now Bo, being finalized, plans are in progress to ensure that the decentralization reaches every district and not just regional HQs. He thanked the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd. AIG Morie Lengor while urging Immigration Officers to uphold more decency and professionalism. He said that with the new online system, people should desist from contacting Immigration Personnel for passports and other services, stressing and affirming that everything (application) was now supposed to be done online. He said that such will come with a stable price and better conditions. He said that old talks about Immigration Officers extorting and causing suffering for people would now be a thing of the past. He added that it is right for everyone to own a passport and to access other immigration services. He said that the government of President Bio was a caring one and thus encouraged people to make use of the facilities. He continued to say that on resident permits, all foreign nationals are expected to register with the Sierra Leone Immigration Department. He also called for responsible citizenship and for people to act as community immigration officers, by reporting any suspected activity which goes against set immigration standards. The ended by pleading with the public to go online only to access services and not to directly contact immigration personnel. He said that such will minimize if not eradicate corruption tendencies.

The Director of Policy and Coordination, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mohamed Yokie, in giving the goodwill message said that the Minister of Internal Affairs was unavoidably absent, but that he did send his regards.

In delivering the keynote address, the Resident Minister, Southern Region, thanked President Julius Maada Bio and the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Immigration Department. He said that it was the first in history for anyone to be able to apply for a passport from Bo. He described the same as a big opportunity for people. He said that the 44 Chiefdoms in the South were now expected to make a judicious usage of the opportunity.

An inspection of the Immigration Office in Bo and a group photograph ended the launch.

Credit – Media and Public Relations Unit, Sierra Leone Immigration Department.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 15th June 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)