Kitwe youths choke NRC centres

SANFROSSA MANYNDA writes SCORES of people in Kitwe have overwhelmingly responded to the on-going mobile issuance of National Registration Cards (NRC) with over 350 turning up at registration centres daily. A survey in selected registration centres in some constituencies in the city yesterday showed that hundreds of young people were turning up to obtain NRCs. Some centres visited were Chamboli Secondary School, Kafue Bridge Primary School and Boma offices. The mobile registration exercise commenced on August 1, this year and it would run up to October this year with a target of registering 770, 000. Ministry of Home Affairs has projected to issue approximately 1.5 million new NRCs countrywide in a two-phased approach of 40 days each. Kitwe District Commissioner Chileshe Bweupe was optimistic that the targeted 75, 000 people in the city would be captured by the end of the exercise. “I am happy with the turnout.  This is impressive and we are happy as Government to see such a response,” he said. The DC advised the officers and members of the public to adhere to the health guidelines during the exercise to avoid endangering their lives. Some young people interviewed in the centres said they were elated with the exercise despite having to be on long queues almost the whole day. Abel Sinkamba, who turned 16 this year, said he was happy that he would finally obtain an NRC in order to engage in national activities. “I have been looking forward to this time and I have come with my mother to get an NRC. I am completing school this year and it is only prudent that I get a national identity,” Sinkamba said. Another youth, who had just obtained an NRC, said she would use it for many things, including looking for a job. Martha Lwamba of Chamboli said she would also get a voters’ card with his newly acquired NRC and exercise her democratic rights in future. The Sun