The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has officially opened a new branch office, recently, in Segbwema, Kailahun District, marking another significant milestone in its nationwide decentralization programme aimed at bringing essential civil registration services closer to citizens.

The newly established office will operate alongside the Authority's ongoing mobile registration outreach in Segbwema and neighbouring communities, improving access to national identity and civil registration services for residents who previously had to travel long distances to obtain those essential services.

The Segbwema office forms part of the NCRA's expanding national network, complementing its regional headquarters in Bo, Kenema, Makeni and Port Loko, as well as recently established sub-offices, including those in Mile 91 and Lungi. The expansion reflects the Authority's commitment to extending its services to communities across Sierra Leone.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Paramount Chief of the area welcomed the establishment of the office, describing it as a major development for the chiefdom and surrounding communities. He noted that the office would make it easier for citizens to obtain National Identity Cards and other civil registration services without travelling to distant locations.

The Paramount Chief also disclosed that he is working with fellow Paramount Chiefs in neighbouring chiefdoms to introduce bylaws aimed at encouraging all eligible citizens to obtain National Identity Cards, describing the card as the country's most authentic form of identification.

Director General of NCRA, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, said the opening of the Segbwema office is part of the Authority's broader strategy to decentralize civil registration services and ensure that every Sierra Leonean has convenient access to legal identity documentation.

Since assuming office in 2018, the Director General has overseen several reforms within the NCRA, including the expansion of mobile registration teams to underserved communities, the digitization of civil registration records, the introduction of secure biometric National Identity Cards and the establishment of additional offices across the country.

The Authority maintains that strengthening access to civil registration services remains central to improving governance, national planning and public service delivery, while ensuring that citizens can easily access legal identity documents regardless of where they live.

The opening of the Segbwema branch office is expected to reduce travel costs and waiting times for residents of Kailahun District, while supporting the Government's broader objective of promoting inclusive and accessible public services throughout Sierra Leone.

NCRA reiterated that civil registration is a fundamental right and remains a key pillar of national development, stressing that expanding its presence across the country will continue to be a priority as it works to ensure that no citizen is left behind. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/ncra-dg-advances-decentralization-with-new-office-in-segbwema/