 |
| Mr Mwaimu |
Dishonest members of the Tanzania People’s Defense Force (TPDF) and
Police Force came under the spotlight yesterday, accused of frustrating smooth
issuance of National Identity Cards (IDs).
The National Identification Authority (NIDA) said yesterday that it had
uncovered massive forgery and serious anomalies in school certificates
possessed by officials and employees of the two security forces, after a
thorough investigation.
According to NIDA Director General Dickson Mwaimu the authority found
out that school certificates produced (as key particulars to the authority in
the processing IDs) by the officials have been used by more than one person.
He added: “We found out that a single school certificate has been used
by a number of officials or employees in these organs. Such anomalies are
really discouraging and in fact are frustrating the whole process.”
NIDA discovered that school certificates of 248 soldiers from TPDF and
700 police officers had been used by other persons, prompting the authority to
suspend the IDs issuance.
National IDs were expected to be issued on April 26 this year, as a
pilot project — starting with security forces and civil servants living in Dar
es Salaam, Zanzibar and residents of Kilombero, Morogoro Region, but challenges
related to forged school certificates and other shortcomings forced the
authority to postpone the issuance date.
 |
| DCI Manumba |
“Elements of forgery of school certificates, among other factors, have
made our work more than difficult. We have failed to beat our target because of
these shortfalls,” said Maimu.
The NIDA boss said the authority has directed the Iris project
contractor to start making the IDs after resolving “these challenges.”
When contacted, TPDF spokesperson, Col Kapambala Mgawe, would not admit
or deny the accusations of forgery levelled against the army personnel,
explaining that he needed time to verify them before commenting.
“I will work on it tomorrow, get details on the reports, but I cannot
promise to make a public statement,” said Mgawe.
In an exclusive telephone interview, the Director of Criminal
Investigation (DCI), Robert Manumba said the police force was aware of the
NIDA’s reports related to forgery of school certificates by police officers and
employees, noting that they would act after receiving official correspondences.
According to DCI, the force was waiting for the official communication
on the allegations from NIDA, noting: “We cannot work on reports and announce
measures to be taken against the ‘culprits’ for something which we have not been
informed officially.”
Disclosing other obstacles in the IDs-project, the NIDA boss mentioned
change of postal codes after the government introduced new regions and
districts and the review of voters register.
These developments, according to Maimu have contributed to delays in
issuance of the identity cards.
He noted: “We have talked to relevant authorities --Tanzania
Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) and the National Electoral
Commission (NEC) — to speed up issuing of postal codes to the new districts and
regions and review of the voter register —“so that all processes go at par.”
“This is done to reduce costs and inconveniencies,” he explained.
Source: The Guardian
0 comments :
Post a Comment