By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
The Sierra Leone Immigration Department (SLID) has presented a draft Cabinet Policy Proposal to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd. AIG Morie Lengor, seeking government approval to restructure the institution into a semi-autonomous regimental service.
The proposal was presented on Saturday at the Country Lodge Conference Hall by the Chief Immigration Officer, Dr. Moses Tiffa Baio Esq., accompanied by members of the department’s senior leadership team. The presentation was attended by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Deputy Minister, the Permanent Secretary, and the Director of Research and Policy, who reviewed and discussed the proposed reforms.
During the meeting, Minister Lengor and his team carefully examined the policy document and provided recommendations across five key areas: the purpose of the reform, its rationale, the proposed governance model, the expected outcomes, and the next steps for implementation.
According to the proposal, the primary objective of the reform is to secure Cabinet approval for the transformation of the Sierra Leone Immigration Department from a government agency into a semi-autonomous service operating under a regimental framework. The department believes the restructuring will enhance operational efficiency, strengthen border security, improve service delivery, and align SLID with international best practices in migration and border management.
The proposal explains that the department’s current institutional structure limits its ability to respond effectively to emerging migration challenges, border security threats, and transnational crime. It argues that transitioning from an “agency” to a “service” and adopting a regimental command structure will strengthen discipline, improve accountability, clarify the chain of command, and enhance operational effectiveness.
The draft further notes that the proposed reforms have been carefully reviewed to avoid duplication of the mandates of other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), while clearly defining areas of inter-agency collaboration and responsibility.
Under the proposed governance model, SLID would remain under the policy supervision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs while enjoying greater operational and administrative autonomy within an approved legal and regulatory framework. The department would adopt a regimental command system designed to promote professionalism, discipline, efficiency, and rapid deployment in carrying out its responsibilities.
The proposal also recommends replacing the term “agency” with “service” and “paramilitary” with “regimental” to better reflect the institution’s mandate, professional identity, and operational philosophy.
If approved, the reform is expected to strengthen border management and migration control, enhance institutional professionalism, improve coordination with other security agencies through clearly defined roles, and increase public confidence by delivering more efficient, transparent, and accountable services.
As part of the implementation process, SLID will incorporate the recommendations provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs into the revised draft before submitting a final Cabinet Policy Paper for consideration and approval. Should Cabinet endorse the proposal, the department will proceed with the necessary legislative, administrative, and institutional reforms required to operationalise the new structure.
According to SLID, the proposed transformation is intended to position the department to effectively address the evolving security, migration, and border management challenges of the 21st century while maintaining full accountability to the Government of Sierra Leone.