The first and basic responsibility of government anywhere in the world is to maintain security within the state. Crisis, protests and instability usually follow when governments fail in their basic responsibility. Governments, most times, do not fail in a day in the maintenance of state security, but bit by bit so be it for the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
The party in power has been accused of compromising security for awarding national ID card and passport contracts to foreign companies. The documents are just too sensitive for a foreign company to manufacture on behalf of the state. Currently, a Lebanese company has been awarded a contract for printing Sierra Leonean passports.
The terms of the contract however remain unclear, but one thing is clear:the fear that the passport might land in wrong hands remains high. Over two years ago, Sierra Leone faced citizenship crisis when it was discovered that two out of 16 Sierra Leoneans deported to this country were Nigerians, but held Sierra Leone passport. Questions and debates arose about how Sierra Leone passports land in the hands of foreigners. Who issued Sierra Leone passports to Foreigners? On whose order were the passports issued to foreigners? What are the conditions for giving out the passports?
These were among many questions posed, but they went without answers. Accounts by various government officials stated that Nigeria would turn to Sierra Leone for passports when many were banned from going to the United States. However, it was extremely difficult for government to put up with a situation of harbouring non-citizens driven from a faraway land.
The fear of crime is highly prominent here since nobody knew the nature of life they were living outside Sierra Leone. The fear of the drug and gun crime is very prominent here. Giving out passports without recourse to procedures is dangerous for a country especially in a period of terrorism. Many Sierra Leoneans remain critical of government’s moves for awarding the contract to a country known for a potent terrorist group, Hizbollah.
This group is one one the most lethal in the Middle East after Alqaeda. They are at an all-time ready position to strike at long and close ranges. Western and American nations are very much susceptible to terrorist’s strikes and attacks, and are tightening their security to fend off terrorism from their soil. Controlling the passport system is one of the surest and safest ways.
The world did see how the US, the UK and other European countries struggled with terrorism in early 2000, and the struggle went for a considerable period. The global threat was lessened only after Alqaeda suffered a fatal blow. Although, they appear to have been defeated, the terrorists are still active in their cocoons and enclaves ready to strike anywhere, anytime.
They can use any means at their disposal including the passport method, a factor why countries must secure their national documents.
This is not the first time President Bio faces allegations of passport fraud. Similar accusations was made against him for selling passport to foreigners while he was Chairman of the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC). NPRC was accused of selling passports to non-citizens to raise money to prosecute a war that went on for 10 years. The allegation badly militated against Bio’s campaign for the presidency in 2018.
His actions were deeply delved into when he stood up as SLPP’s presidential candidate. On several media interviews, it came out clearly that the passports were sold to non-foreigners, but the proceeds were used to procure arms and ammunition to fend off the country from the rebel onslaught. While campaigning, President Bio took responsibility and appealed to Sierra Leoneans for forgiveness.
He was forgiven and voted in, but still the passport allegations have not gone away. About four years ago, President Bio was accused of issuing diplomatic passports to family members without justification. A journalist who published the allegation was arrested, detained and released without charge, but a slur has been left on Bio’s government.
Almost invariably, national ID cards should not be entrusted into private hands. It should be the responsibility of government and not individuals let alone foreigners.