By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum
These reforms in the production of National Identity Cards that would go operational, was announced by the Delegate General for National Security – Martin Mbarga Nguele, at the Second Biannual Governor’s Conference that took place from 12th to 13th December, 2022 in Yaounde, chaired by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Atanga Nji Paul.
Martin Mbarga Nguele said the challenges currently encountered in the production of IDs is partially caused by constraints inherent in the payment of debt with Thales, the Identify Card service provider which hinders the acceleration of the CNI reform process.
The Security official also mention that the cumbersome process is also due to incoherence and lack of synchrony on the part of many Cameroonians; those whose documents carry contrary information details including people who fake their date of birth and people who produce false diplomas.
He said Cameroon shall switch to a new service provider and the creation of new posts for fabrication of ID cards, on very high instructions from the Head of State.
The high-level Security Official went further to talk about the issuing of passports. He noted that the shortening in the production of passports from several months to 48 hours is the result of two landmark achievements that is the signing of an agreement with DHL for the diligence of transporting documents published abroad and in Cameroon and the recognition of Cameroonian expertise at the international level during the ICAO meeting of Traveler Identification Program in Montreal, Canada.
The subject on ID cards and passports was disclosed in an in camera session during the governors’ conference. The information was brought to the knowledge of the press during a reading of the general report on deliberations and discussions during the two day conference.
Yves Christian Edoa Effa, Secretary General at Cameroon’s Ministry of Territorial Administration did a reading of the comprehensive report documented at the end of the two day bi-annual governors conference.
In addition to issues of ID cards and passports, the report contained resolutions taken at the end of the conference notably the call on governors to ensure security and maintain law and order.
Picture: Governor’s, other officials at second bi-annual conference 2022