Concord Times (Freetown)
Ibrahim Tarawallie
20 August 2008
Freetown — Immigration office in the southern city of Bo is in a bad shape. The regional office is grappling with endless challenges that could hamper its work, which include manning of the country's porous border with Liberia.
Workers find it difficult to go after illegal immigrants. Investigations found out that they lack every equipment to function well.
The office does not have any computers, no official vehicles from the government. It came out clearly that the derelict structure continues to pose serious threats to lives and property.
One of the staff claimed that they often use vehicles from the police and the armed forces to go after illegal immigrants, a very serious preoccupation of the immigration department in the district.
When contacted chief immigration officer Alpha Kholifa Koroma told Concord Times that he was aware of the unfavorable conditions under which the southern region office was operate. But they could not handle everything at the same time.
"I am aware about the deplorable conditions of our office in Bo. But we are working within a tight budget. It is my dream to see that all our offices in the provinces are well taken care of," he said.
He said they were working under the ministries of internal affairs, local government and rural development. This means they are not authorized to use any money they generate to develop their offices without the due procedure.
"I inherited an institution that is in shambles. I understand the situation but I am working under limited resources," he stated.
Koroma said at present he has no official vehicle to do his work efficiently. He appealed to donors and the government to improve the institution.
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