Long Waits Disrupt Farming in Nsanje
Farmers hope the issues can be addressed so they can acquire IDs without further impacting their livelihoods.
NSANJE, Malawi - Farmers in Nsanje have expressed concern over prolonged waits at National Registration Bureau (NRB) centers to obtain national ID cards, which they say is negatively impacting their agricultural work, writes Cornelius Lupenga.
"We are completely compromised as weeds are overpowering plants in the gardens," said Madalitso Dimingu, a farmer from Brighton village who spoke to AfricaBrief on Thursday.
He said people are taking two to three days just to get registered due to the slow processes at the centers.
Dimingu said communities want to acquire their national IDs but the delays are preventing them from tending to their farms.
"Being here for hours affects my business where I earn a living," said Black Dick, a farmer with a disability who said he has unsuccessfully tried to register for the past three days.
Gerald Kandiado, headteacher at Bangula Primary School, said large numbers of students from local schools including Bangula Secondary School, Kalambo Community Day Secondary School and Explora Academy are also flocking to the centers to register, further contributing to the congestion.
"The main challenge is that there are few NRB centers in the areas hence congestion," Kandiado said.
He added that the registration exercise is also impacting teaching and learning as classrooms are left empty.
The NRB has yet to comment on the delays.
The government agency set dates of Jan. 13-27 for the registration exercise in Nsanje.
Farmers hope the issues can be addressed so they can acquire IDs without further impacting their livelihoods.