New SLID Kenema office decentralizes passport and immigration services
- Alicious Swaray
- Apr 20
- 1 min read
The Sierra Leone Immigration Department (SLID) has commissioned a new regional office in Kenema to decentralize immigration services across the country. The facility was officially opened on April 16, 2026, at an event attended by key sector stakeholders.
The initiative aims to facilitate passport processing and broader immigration services outside of Freetown. Chief Immigration Officer (CIO) Dr. Moses Tiffa Baio stated that the department is establishing offices in provincial headquarters, including Bo, Kenema, and Makeni, to eliminate the need for citizens to travel to the capital for passports.
Dr. Baio confirmed that regional offices will manage passport production and serve as hubs for enforcing the new Biometric Residence and Work Permits required for all non-nationals. There are also plans to utilize SALPOST locations to further increase accessibility in regional areas.
In his keynote address, Minister of Internal Affairs Morie Lengor commended the administration for supporting the decentralization effort. He instructed immigration staff to maintain institutional integrity and provide diligent service to the public.
Local residents and stakeholders described the new services as a timely intervention. The event concluded with the official unveiling of the facility, the introduction of new operational vehicles, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the CIO, the Minister, the City Mayor, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
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