The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has announced the suspension of biometric registrations and the issuance of National Identification Numbers (NIN) for citizens and residents aged 12 and above.

This suspension is necessitated by essential maintenance on the Authority’s Biometric Identification and Matching Engine (ABIS), a key component of the National Identification Management System (IDMS).

The NCRA clarified that the system maintenance was triggered by technical issues caused by frequent power outages, impacting the functionality of the ABIS engine. As a result, the biometric and fingerprint details required for new registrations cannot be processed until the system is fully restored.

Despite the suspension of biometric registrations for first-time applicants aged 12 and above, the NCRA reassured the public that other critical services remain operational.

These include the issuance of ID cards to those who have already completed their registration, verification of ID cards, updates to personal information, and the registration of vital events such as births, deaths, marriages, and adoptions.

The NCRA emphasized that this system update is crucial for ensuring the long-term efficiency and reliability of its services.

It further reassured the public that once the maintenance is completed, biometric registration services will resume, and timely updates will be provided.

NCRA offices and outlets across Sierra Leone remain open from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., continuing to offer other essential civil registration and identity management services.

The Authority remains committed to providing uninterrupted service to all citizens and non-citizens across the country.