By Joseph Momoh reporter D.S
The Sierra Leone Immigration Service has presented its 2026-2030 Strategic Plan to the United Nations Development Programme, calling for funding and technical partnership while pushing for sole legal authority over border management.
The proposal was tabled Tuesday during a high-level meeting at the UNDP Hall in Freetown, where Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Moses Tiffa Baio Esq. outlined an ambitious reform agenda aimed at rebuilding public trust and modernizing operations.
Dr. Baio told UNDP officials that a recent public perception survey forced the Service to confront hard truths. “The findings showed a significant trust deficit in our staff and services, driven by concerns over corruption and unprofessional conduct,” he said. “Restoring confidence is now the cornerstone of our reform drive.”
In a detailed presentation, the CIO anchored the 2026-2030 plan on four pillars: Service Excellence & Process Re-engineering; Integrity & Ethics; Digitalization; and Regimental Transformation.
He highlighted persistent gaps in border security and laid out specific areas where UNDP collaboration could strengthen enforcement, particularly along Sierra Leone’s porous frontiers.
A key component of the plan involves legislative reform. Dr. Baio disclosed that SLIS is reviewing its legal framework and seeking an expanded mandate. “Currently, no single state authority holds a clear legislative mandate for border governance and security,” he noted. “Our new legislation will ask that SLIS be given sole responsibility for border management and security, with other agencies acting in support. Immigration remains the gatekeeper for all cross-border movement.”
He added that SLIS intends to fully align with Sierra Leone’s national security architecture, with border security as a top priority. Similar challenges across Mano River Union states, he said, present a chance for stronger regional cooperation.
“Our goal is to transform SLIS into a trusted, professional, and digitally-driven institution,” Dr. Baio said. “We look to UNDP’s support in border management, security, and mobility so we can deliver effectively at our borders.”
UNDP representatives welcomed the plan’s clarity and expressed readiness to deepen engagement on shared priorities.
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