Nice urges Mwanza residents to register

National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust has said the national identity cards (IDs) are expected to minimise pressure on public services in Mwanza as Mozambicans who rely on the district’s social amenities will not be allowed to access them.

Nice Trust Mwanza assistant district civic education officer Josephine Majamanda made the remarks on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting to sensitise duty-bearers to the mass registration exercise by National Registration Bureau (NRB) expected to start today in the district.

She said the exercise will help the communities to achieve socio-economic development through government provision of social services that will only target bona fide Malawian citizens.

“We have cases of shortage of drugs in hospitals and learning space in most primary schools because foreigners [Mozambicans] who are not [included] in the district’s budget easily access the services.

“The registration will provide government with up-to-date bio data to foster socio-economic planning of its citizens,” she said.

NRB Mwanza assistant district registrar Strachan Chisenga said the registration is for free and chiefs should not charge subjects who will seek stamps.

“For one to be considered in social cash transfer programmes, public works, subsidy programmes and banking services, this card will be required. The exercise is for Malawians only and will help to curb challenges in the district’s health and education sectors,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the chiefs, Sub Traditional Authority (ST/A) Govati encouraged all Malawian citizens to register.

The meeting was held with financial support from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). n