Tanzania: Isles Gears for National ID Issuance
The National Identification Authority (NIDA) - Zanzibar Office Director, Mr Vuai Mussa, made the revelation on Wednesday before advising Zanzibaris, particularly some Muslim "hardliners", to register for the IDs.
"We have met Muslim groups including the UAMSHO to discuss the issue of national IDs. We urged them not to shun the exercise, or risk regretting after the exercise is over," Mussa said at a press conference held at Umoja wa Watu wenye Ulemavu- Zanzibar (UWZ) Hall in Kikwajuni.
NIDA convened the meeting in its ongoing efforts to spread the information ahead of the exercise, to be conducted for ten days in each Zanzibar district. "We ask all Zanzibaris not to miss this chance to obtain the IDs," said Mussa. He said that people will be registered and get the Ids only after proving that they deserve the document.
"We have minimized bureaucracy and inconveniences as much as possible. There is nothing wrong by possessing both Zanzibar Identity (ZanID) and the national IDs," he insisted. Mussa asked the media to help spread the importance of IDs to Zanzibar community and that even Tanzanians living abroad (for study or work) will be considered for the IDs project if they prove their citizenship.
"Tanzanians on death row and people with mental disorder will not qualify for the IDs, but NIDA is working on registering prisoners and issuing them with IDs," the director said as he appealed for joint efforts in making the exercise successful.He said that the $176 million (about 200bn/-) project that has been delayed for years has been going on well, and that non- Tanzanians, including refugees will be given separate IDs.
"The IDs ease transactions even with banks. It is easier to access loans as the document is proof of the holders' real identity, profession and will also contain residential address. It is also important for security purposes," Mussa said asking Tanzanians to help ensure that foreigners do not benefit.
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