By SILUMESI MALUMO
ABOUT 632, 363 National Registration Cards (NRCs) have been issued out of the targeted 730, 000 in phase two of mobile issuance exercise, Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo has said.
Phase two comprises Southern, Western, Muchinga, Central and Lusaka provinces.
Mr Kampyongo told Parliament that this was 87 percent success rate.
The minister said in a ministerial statement that financial challenges which were encountered during the process resulted in materials not being distributed in various areas.
This, he said, prompted the extension of the exercise.
Mr Kampyongo said the officers were not deployed in far flung areas due to unavailability of the materials.
The minister said the funds were however mobilised to make the material available in order for the exercise to actualise.
He said that the extension of the exercise was five days and it would end today.
The minister encouraged all those who had attained the age of 16 to obtain the NRC before the exercises closes today.
“Phase two of national registration cards commenced on September 20, 2020 and in a few days after the commencement the exercise was slow because of financial constraints but the challenges were addressed.
“There were numerous challenges which were encountered and we worked with various stakeholders to ensure that these challenges were addressed,” Mr Kampyongo said.
Meanwhile, Mr Kampyongo said a scam was unearthed where foreigners were trying to obtain NCRs and some Zambian citizens obtained two NRCs in Lusaka.
He said the culprits were arrested and would appear in court soon.
Mr Kampyongo said Government had waived the requirement of police reports for those who lost their NRCs to obtain the cards without any delay.
632, 363 NRCs issued in phase two
