Worries raised over official documents locked in registry office

PAPUA New Guinea Civil and Identity Registry acting registrar-general Noel Mobiha wants to know the whereabouts of the keys to the building that housed their office (CIR) at Boroko, saying that important official documents of public concern need to be immediately removed.
“I have been reliably informed by some sources that some people have gained access to the building, which means the landlord has given away the keys to them,” Mobiha said yesterday in Port Moresby.
“I am the only person that is supposed to be handed the keys by the landlord to remove important archival documents, printed birth certificates and NID cards are currently locked in the office – since last April.
“I am the custodian of the locked documents on behalf of the Government, and not whoever the keys were given to.
“The landlord should tell the public where the keys are as he has been very unfriendly to me.”
He is also concerned about the safety of the documents since it has been quite a while since they were locked away.
“The safety of the documents are at stake now; who knows if some documents have been removed by those who gained entry into the building, or they may get wet or get eaten by mice and cockroaches.”
Mobiha said the situation was unfortunate and costly because copies of those documents and cards would have to be made at extra cost.
“The processing of NIDs and birth certificates can’t be dragged, but unfortunately that is the case now as those whose documents were processed and ready to be issued are now reapplying and contributing to the delay of the process,” Mobiha said.
Mobiha, however, did not comment on the rentals, which were the reason behind CIR being forced out of the building in the first place.