As part of efforts to transform the Sierra Leone Immigration Department (SLID) into a more reliable, credible, and service-oriented institution, the Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Moses Tiffa Baio Esq, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to strengthen collaboration in promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability in the Sierra Leone Immigration service delivery.
Speaking on the rationale behind the MOU, the Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Moses Tiffa Baio Esq, described its signing as a historic gesture of collaboration, noting that pillar two of the SLID Transformation Plan 2026-2030 is anchored on transparency, integrity, and accountability. He pointed out that their overarching goal is to restore public confidence and trust, which involves collaborating with the ACC to restore the image of the institution, stressing the need for public education as a fundamental tool in educating staff on issues relating to corruption, as part of their transformation drive. Furthermore, he solicited the support of the ACC towards corruption-related activities, adding that they are engaged in a similar venture with other sister security institutions as part of their groundbreaking strategy to implement the SLID Transformation Plan.
CIO Dr. Baio Esq. further used the occasion to announce that SLID has embarked on a nationwide regional decentralization process, as Immigration services have been decentralized in Kenema, including passports, emergency travel certificates and other immigration services. He further noted that they are on the verge
for digital reforms and passport application advancement in the regions, specifically with initiatives to make passport services more functional at regional/district levels for easy access by residents in the regions.
Dr. Baio Esq. expressed enthusiasm, looking forward to a productive relationship and partnership to help accomplish his vision for SLID.
In his remarks, the Deputy Commisioner of the ACC, Mr. Augustine Foday Ngobie welcomed SLID in achieving another milestone in the process of delivering service for the people of Sierra Leone. He expressed willingness to collaborate with partner institutions to fight corruption, citing that SLID is tasked with a very crucial responsibility of issuing passports and managing the reputation of the country’s
borders, and therefore, they are referred to as the face at every entering border point of this country. He lauded SLID for taking the bold step to partner with them to ensure integrity is exhibited by their staff to restore the reputation of the department. He reassured them that they would do everything humanly possible to work with their staff to prevent the occurrence of corruption and maintain the integrity of the institution.
The MOU therefore provides a structured framework through which both ACC and SLID will collaborate, in areas such as joint development of integrity tools, reporting and protection mechanisms, transparency and public engagement, preventive systems and Integrity audits and institutional governance and reform among other areas.
In conclusion, the MOU signed by the CIO Dr. Baio Esq, and ACC Deputy Commissioner Mr. Augustine Foday Ngobie is a significant step towards strengthening collaboration that reflects a shared commitment towards strengthening integrity within the public institutions and improving service delivery to the people of Sierra Leone, as they believed that through partnership, they will be able to improve not only their internal systems but also rebuild public confidence in the Immigration department.