Only 200,000 registered in NID target of 1.5mil

By PISAI GUMAR
THE National Identification (NID) programme has so far registered 200,000 people of the targeted 1.5 million this year, Register-General Michael Kumung says.
They are focusing on the National Capital District, Central, Morobe, East Sepik, Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands and East New Britain over the next six months.
Kumung said the officers to work in NCD and Central had already been mobilised while those for ENB would be ready in two weeks.
He said the Government should know the actual growth in population.
“The Government needs to know the name of a person, gender and origin, employment, people involving in formal and non-formal activities, newborn babies each year, gender, eligible voters, people living with disabilities, number of students attending elementary and secondary schools, those continuing to tertiary schools and drop-outs each year,” he said.
“The NID programme is significant to various government agencies and departments like health and education, planning and monitoring, treasury, customs and surveillance, national statistics office and Electoral Commission to plan development activities.
“Similarly, it is important to citizens to protect their identity and names by using ID cards to access government services such as hospitals and schools, forming land incorporated groups, accessing or opening bank accounts, transport systems, paying water and electricity bills.”
The Government plans to register all citizens by 2021.