Issuance of the national identity card still slow

At the various approved points in Yaoundé, many subscribers struggle to recover this valuable document for several months.

Getting rid of the receipt of the National Identity Card (NIC) has become an option for some subscribers. "It's two years since I run after this precious document unsuccessfully. The many appointments always end in a dismissal without good reason. The only answer given is that it is not available. The authorities just lengthen the receipt expiration date," says Cecilia Ngo Missé, housekeeper.

This is also the case for Bienvenu Kassissou who also spent two years after the CNI. "An error had been made at the place of birth and each time, they say they shall renew my receipt which is not even for a new national identity card. I just passed the Customs exams and have to go for training and my card is needed. I do not know what to do anymore. I made a new application and I am still waiting," said the distressed young man who has as proof in his hands a copy of his birth certificate and his receipt which has lost its luster.

Like him, many subscribers are cooling their heels to the office at the recriminations of the services of the security system of Cameroonian nationality (Senac), located at Mvan neighborhood in Yaoundé and in the various police stations.

Thus, some people unable to take possession of this precious document are facing difficulties at their banks: withholding of wages and sending money. "I cannot do certain transactions in the bank because I don’t have a National Identity Card," said Helene B. After her is Alain Mbida whose salary is seated in his bank for some months due to lack of ID card.

Faced with this situation that has become common, the CT team approached officials of the Senac who refused to give any explanation. "We need the approval of the hierarchy to tell you anything. Sorry," suggested one official.

But, according to some discretion, we learn that this is for security reasons. "We have dual nationality problems. That is to say, someone who takes the birth certificate of a family member to get an ID card that allows him to pass exams. We also have problems of fingerprints which often are not well attached or photos that are blurry," says an ordinary person.

"Investigations take time. When a person is born in Kousseri for example, he would have to check the details of his birth and for the mayor of the hometown to verify the information to see if they are accurate. It happens sometimes that some people have diverse identities and others do not have any recognition available. For security reasons, we work carefully," he concludes.