Residents of Sierra Leone’s Southern Region can now access key immigration services closer to home following the official launch of the Sierra Leone Immigration Department’s decentralized service center in Bo City. The initiative marks another significant milestone in the government’s efforts to improve public service delivery and expand access to essential documentation and immigration-related services across the country.
The launch ceremony, held in Bo on Thursday, 11 June 2026, attracted government officials, traditional leaders, civil society representatives, development partners, and members of the public, all of whom hailed the initiative as a transformative step toward bringing government services closer to the people.
The decentralization program, spearheaded by the Sierra Leone Immigration Department under the leadership of Chief Immigration Officer (CIO) Dr. Moses Tiffa Baio, follows the successful establishment of similar service centers in Kenema and Makeni. The move forms part of a broader national strategy aimed at reducing the burden on citizens who previously had to travel to Freetown to obtain passports, residence permits, work permits, and other immigration services.
Chairing the occasion, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Edward Aiah Ngaujah, described the event as more than a ceremonial gathering. He said it reflected the government’s commitment to improving public services and ensuring that citizens enjoy easier access to essential government facilities. He commended the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Chief Immigration Officer for their dedication to implementing reforms that directly benefit ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
According to him, the decentralization of immigration services will significantly reduce travel costs and inconvenience for residents of the provinces. He also acknowledged the support of President Julius Maada Bio, noting that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader agenda of inclusive development and effective service delivery.
Welcoming guests to Bo City, Mayor Kobba Musa praised the Immigration Department for what he described as a historic achievement. He recalled the challenges citizens previously faced in securing passports and other immigration documents, often spending weeks in Freetown before receiving services. The mayor emphasized that the new facility would greatly ease those burdens and improve the lives of residents across the Southern Region.
He further urged citizens to take ownership of the facility and ensure its protection, while encouraging other government institutions to embrace decentralization as a means of enhancing accessibility and promoting national development.
Adding his voice, the Paramount Chief of Bo Kakua Chiefdom described the launch as a commendable achievement and a source of pride for the people of Bo. He noted that the establishment of the office demonstrates the government’s determination to ensure equitable access to services regardless of geographical location.
Representatives of civil society organizations also welcomed the initiative. Speaking on behalf of civil society groups in the South, their chairman described the development as a landmark achievement that would benefit not only residents of Bo but the entire Southern Region. He observed that while discussions about decentralization had persisted for years, practical implementation had often encountered challenges. He therefore commended the Immigration Department for turning the vision into reality.
The event also highlighted the role of private sector partners in supporting the modernization of immigration services. A representative of Net Page, the company responsible for passport production, expressed satisfaction that the decentralization promise had been fulfilled. He explained that although the process required extensive planning and preparation, the necessary infrastructure had now been successfully established.
The Chief Executive Officer of Constrats System Sierra Leone Limited underscored the importance of technological innovation in improving immigration management. He explained that the introduction of a unified electronic residence and work permit system represents a major advancement in the country’s immigration framework.
According to him, the public-private partnership involving the Government of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Immigration Department has already begun yielding positive results. He revealed that the fifty-year agreement commenced in January 2026, while nationwide enforcement of the system started on 1 June 2026.
He noted that the decentralization exercise extends beyond the physical establishment of offices and includes the modernization of service delivery through digital systems. Such innovations, he said, will enhance transparency, increase efficiency, improve revenue generation, and create employment opportunities. He further disclosed that operational offices and monitoring points have been established across several parts of the country, including key border crossings.
The Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Internal Affairs commended Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Tiffa Baio for demonstrating results-oriented leadership. He encouraged citizens to make effective use of the new facility while ensuring that they possess the necessary legal documentation. He also stressed the importance of professionalism, integrity, and accountability in the delivery of immigration services.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Bo District Council described the initiative as a welcome development and a significant step toward improving governance and public service delivery in the district. He expressed optimism that the facility would provide efficient and reliable services to residents.
Delivering his remarks, Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Moses Tiffa Baio reflected on the reform agenda he has pursued since assuming office. He thanked President Julius Maada Bio for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the department and emphasized that his mandate includes rebranding and transforming the institution.
Dr. Baio disclosed that following the successful establishment of decentralized centers in Kenema, Makeni, and Bo, plans are underway to extend immigration services to all districts across Sierra Leone. He expressed gratitude to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Retired AIG Morie Lengor, for supporting the department’s reform initiatives.
A key highlight of his address was the introduction of a fully online application process for passports and related services. He urged members of the public to avoid direct dealings with immigration personnel and instead utilize the official digital platform for all applications. According to him, the online system is designed to eliminate opportunities for corruption, ensure uniform pricing, and improve service delivery.
He stressed that obtaining a passport should be a straightforward process for every eligible Sierra Leonean and maintained that the new system would help address longstanding complaints of delays, extortion, and administrative bottlenecks.
The Chief Immigration Officer also called on all foreign nationals residing in Sierra Leone to comply with residence permit registration requirements. He encouraged citizens to support national security efforts by reporting suspicious immigration-related activities and acting as responsible stakeholders in safeguarding the country’s borders.
Representing the Minister of Internal Affairs, Director of Policy and Coordination Mohamed Yokie conveyed goodwill messages on behalf of the minister, who was unable to attend the event due to other official engagements.
In the keynote address, the Resident Minister for the Southern Region described the launch as a historic achievement. He noted that for the first time in Sierra Leone’s history, residents of Bo could apply for passports and access immigration services without travelling to Freetown.
He urged the people of the Southern Region, including residents of the region’s forty-four chiefdoms, to take full advantage of the opportunity and use the facility responsibly.
The launch concluded with an inspection tour of the newly established Immigration Office in Bo and a group photograph involving dignitaries and stakeholders.
The opening of the Bo Immigration Office represents another significant step in Sierra Leone’s decentralization agenda. By bringing services closer to citizens, the initiative is expected to improve efficiency, reduce costs for applicants, strengthen transparency, and contribute to national development through modernized and accessible public service delivery.