Combating illegal migration from Sierra Leone

The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) has concluded a one day national consultative forum on irregular migration in Sierra Leone on the theme, “Combating irregular migration.”

The event was held at the Njala Venue, Lumley Beach Road during the weekend in western Freetown.

Speaking at the forum, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. John V. Rogers, who also doubles as the Director of Provincial and Border Security, described the occasion as very timely and crucial.

He stated that it was very necessary to take drastic measures against illegal migration either by land, air or sea as they are the routes people use to travel to Europe America or other parts of the world.

He admonished Africans to be proud of their continent to which they belong. He urged stakeholders to tell the public about the challenges that are associated with illegal migration from Africa to Europe.

In his statement, the Commissioner of NaACSA, Mr. Saidu Cotton Sesay, maintained that those illegal migrants who travel by air experience less risks than those who pass through land or sea as they are subjected to all sorts of embarrassments especially women, who he said are the most vulnerable.

He observed that as a nation it was necessary to hold our hands together and stop the menace, adding that all Sierra Leoneans have a task to perform in stopping illegal migration.

In his comments, the Desk Officer of ECOWAS National Unit in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development [MOFED], Mr. Benga Sama, maintained that the programme was in line with Vision 2020 of the ECOWAS Commission.

He declared that it was for this purpose that NACSA was doing everything possible to ensure that the public gets awareness on the dangers of illegal migration.

Speaking on behalf of the Immigration Department, the Director of Operations, Immigration Department intimated that the quest to go Europe and America has subjected many people to go through ugly situations which have left many with pains in their hearts.

He confirmed that smuggling is an agreement between two parties which usually ends after reaching the final destination.

He stated that the non-availability of a representative from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs at border crossings mostly encourages people to illegally travel with children under the age of eighteen years.

He urged the general public to expose people involved in migrant smuggling, especially of children.

In his remarks, the representative of International Organization for Migration [IOM], Mr. Paul Kargbo, dilated that several negative consequences are associated migrant and irregular smuggling. He said to stop this menace it was necessary for Sierra Leoneans to change their mentality on illegal migration.

He further explained that safe and regular migration should be promoted to reduce the risk.

In his presentation, the Programme Manager of NaCSA, Mr. Mohamed Usman Koroma, said the project will last for one year and that they will be responsible for its day to day management.

He disclosed that the project is estimated at Euros 250, 000 with NaCSA providing ten percent of the said amount.

By Abdulai Mento Kamara

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