By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, April 24, Mana: National Registration Bureau (NRB) says it is expecting to register 30,971 first time national ID applicants in National Identity Card (ID) Outreach and Community Death registration underway in Rumphi district.

In an interview on Tuesday, Rumphi District Commissioner Emmanuel Bulukutu said the turnout was good and that he expected the exercise to meet set targets.

"We have seen the youth who were not able to register last time coming to the centres to register.

"We have had few challenges, especially on death reporting. Few are coming to report. This is the area that needs more sensitization," he said.

One applicant, Wysom Suweta who came to renew his national ID, said he was optimistic he would get his card renewed.

"A national ID is a critical tool for our day to day transactions. For example, it is required at banks and to access farm inputs under Affordable Inputs Programme," he said.

Another applicant, Asha Nyirenda from Mlongoti Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Chikulamayembe, said she went to one of the Centre’s to replace her damaged national ID for easy identification and to be eligible to vote in presidential, parliamentary or local government elections.  

Figures from NRB office in Rumphi show that about 7,543 new ID applicants and 11 community deaths had been registered by April 21.

Registration in National ID Outreach and Community Death started on April 15 and is expected to conclude on April 29 this year.