By Millicent Senava Mannah

The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has expanded its services to the Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU), making national identity registration more accessible to students, lecturers and residents of the Goderich community. The initiative, launched on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, aims to streamline the process for obtaining national identity cards without requiring individuals to travel long distances or endure lengthy queues.

The NCRA has set up facilities across MMTU’s three campuses, offering identity cards at a total cost of Le170, 000, which includes a Le145,000 processing fee and a Le25,000 corporate charge. During the commissioning ceremony at the Great Hall of MMTU’s Goderich campus, Vice Chancellor and Principal Dr. Philip John Kanu commended the initiative, describing it as a transformative move that simplifies access to essential identification documents.

Dr. Philip John Kanu lauded the efforts of NCRA’s Director-General, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, in elevating the Authority to a model institution recognized across Africa. He emphasized the significance of national identity cards, stating that they are mandatory for both citizens and non-citizens to access various services and contribute to national development.

In his address, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi highlighted the importance of identity registration, noting that the availability of NCRA services on campus eliminates the burden of students and lecturers having to leave their academic environment to obtain ID cards. He underscored that the national identity cards issued by NCRA are of high quality and recognized across West Africa, enabling holders to travel and access regional services seamlessly.

Furthermore, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi cautioned against the use of multiple names, which he said contributes to identity fraud and confusion. He detailed the three types of identity cards provided by NCRA, National, ECOWAS, and Non-Citizens, each designed to facilitate different levels of service access. He also stressed that the National Identification Number (NIN) on each card is unique and securely linked to the holder’s identity.

Reaffirming NCRA’s commitment to extending its services, the Director General assured attendees that the Authority would continue bringing identity registration to communities at no extra cost. He urged citizens to register births and deaths to enhance national data management and noted that the initiative aligns with Sierra Leone’s goal of achieving the United Nations’ ‘Identity for All’ target by 2030.

Introducing the Director-General, Emmanuel Sam Kparka provided an overview of Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi’s extensive professional background, including his 20 years of experience with international organizations such as the United Nations. He further noted that under his leadership, Sierra Leone’s identity data management coverage has increased from 50% to 90%.

The event also featured remarks from Goderich Village Headman, Pastor Claudius Freeman and the MMTU Student Union President, who expressed gratitude for the new initiative. The highlight of the occasion was the commencement of the registration process, marking a new chapter in identity accessibility for students and faculty at MMTU.