By TROY MUKUPA
THE Patriotic Front (PF) in Eastern Province has called for an extension period for the mobile National Registration Cards issuance.
PF Eastern Province Information publicity sec- retary, William Phiri, said there had not been sufficient sensitisationprogrammes with regards to the NRCs issuance especially in far flung areas.
“It is sad to note that most people especially in far flung areas of the region are not aware of the NRC regis- tration exercise. There has been no proper sensitiza- tion and most of our people have shown total ignorance.
“Moreover, this exercise
has been left to the district commissioners alone to in- form the people. There is need for an extension and Ministry of Home Affairs should come up with a proper schedule on how all corners of the region will be covered,” he said.
Mr Phiri said it was wor- rying that there was low turn-out at registration centres, hence the need to extend the period of issuing the NRCs. “This is a clear indication that only a few know about the exercise. We appeal to the minister of Home Affairs to extend the deadline for the same exercise so that most people especially those in the valley could be captured.
“We feel this exercise is being done in haste and may
leave many people still with- out NRCs. The Ministry of Home Affairs should en- gage the traditional leaders, the church, the faith based organizations and other stakeholders if this exercise is to be a success.
Mr Phiri said many youths were not aware of the exercise and suggested an extension for another 30 days so that people could be sensitised more.
And Mr Phiri said it was important for the Ministry of Home Affairs to investi- gate officers entrusted with the NRC issuance.
“We have heard com- plaints that some officers are deliberately frustrating most of the people who want to obtain NRCs for the first time,” he said.
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