May 17, 2021
Mohamed M. Massaquoi-NCRA Director General
By: James Kamara-Manneh
To coil down the grumbling, overcrowding and many other challenges, the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has in a release issued last weekend stated that the civil registration exercise for citizens and non-citizen that was to end on the 15th May in Freetown has been extended to the 22nd May, 2021. This decision came about after noticing the massive turn-out of the public to have them verify their data, thus NCRA demonstrate magnanimity by extending the time beyond its scheduled date.
The release called on all who have not confirmed their personal data, including children, young or old, to quickly make themselves available to various centres that are accessible. It was also made clear that confirmation and registration exercise that should commence in the North Province on the 16th May will be communicated the soonest.
However, this medium has observed the registration exercise and has noticed several challenges and is calling on the Commission that they these challenges should be look into at this nick of time.
Most Sierra Leoneans are facing too many constraints in going about the registration and verification process. The exercise itself was not well publicized hence NCRA should ensure that during the extension of the new deadline date (May 15th to 22nd May 2021) community sensitization will be of essence.
We also noticed that the registration process is not effective, slow pace at the centres, disorganize setting, favoritism, therefore NCRA should ensure those in charge should do their work effectively and efficiently to save time during this limited time. Community stakeholders will be of great importance at this time.
Freetown/ Western Area have the largest population and so any registration or verification that is done in a rush will leave many people undocumented, as we appreciate the extension date there is need for careful and diligent work from the registration officers.
NCRA should therefore ensure that the exercise should be easier and more convenient for people to register and be verified. It must ensure that at least 98% of Sierra Leoneans are captured in the NCRA data otherwise it might end up not achieving the desire goal.