The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has embarked on the issuance of more than 10,000 uncollected national identity cards at its Arua office.
This is part of the week-long roadshow that kicked off yesterday in Arua City and Arua District on Wednesday.In Arua, three different centres, including grounds and public spaces, are identified and being used for the exercise, attracting thousands of people in the first two days to collect their ID cards or seek clarifications.
These centres include OPM ground for Arua Central Division and Ayivu East Division, Ayivu Division headquarters for Ayivu West Division, and Vurra Sub County head quarter for Arua District.
Clare Ollama, the Communications Champion for National ID Mass Renewal and Enrollment exercise, encouraged citizens to take this chance and collect their national ID cards since they are essential for accessing public services in the county.
Despite the high turnout of people, Ollama said the number is not yet equal to the uncollected ID cards that are still on display at the three centres, but she urged the public to respond to the call.Some resident who turned up at the centres to collect their ID cards described the exercise as an opportunity since they have been struggling with long queues at the NIRA office, with many failing to get their cards due to the high number who are served by a few staff.
While others maintain a call that NIRA needs to take the cards to the ward or parish level where people can pick them with ease, as it would be closer to most of the people, rather than relying on a few centre or offices that serves the whole city and district.
Jesca Orodriyo, a resident of Ambeko Ward, believes that taking the cards to the lower ward or parish levels would solve the backlog that NIRA is struggling with at the moment. She said that many people fail to pick up their ID cards because of the long distance and congestion at the office.
“Moving from home to this place to collect ID requires transport, but I would advise that the government take them to people for distribution in our wards or parishes so that many people can easily get them,” Orodriyo told URN.
Another resident, Ben Ndema from Mvara Ward, echoed that the exercise would best serve when taken closer to people since many people are not able to travel and wait for a longer period to collect the national ID cards.
However, Ollama informed that the government has released some funds for the exercise, and it will be extended for another 30 days to the lower levels, noting that the priority is to reduce the number of uncollected ID cards so that the funds available will be sufficient for staff who will conduct the exercise at the ward level when it starts. URN