By Staff Reporter
Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zinkhale Ng’oma has described the coming in of the National Identity High-Performance Printer as another milestone in improving service delivery at Malawi’s National Registration Bureau (NRB).
Zikhale Ng’oma made the remarks today during the commissioning ceremony of the National ID High Performance Printer which was held at NRB offices, capital hill in Lilongwe.
He disclosed that NRB was in low capacity to meet the growing demand for National IDs hence the commissioning of the new printer will reduce ongoing waiting time and positively address the concerns Malawians have been having regarding the bureau.
“The commissioning of this High-Performance National ID Printer is not only a game changer but it will also save the much-needed government resources when it comes to national ID printing,” he added.
The Minister also expressed his gratitude to the United States Embassy through the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the support rendered to NRB in procuring the highly advanced printers.
In her remarks, Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zambia, said the initiative will enable NRB to maximise its service delivery by doubling the ID printing rate.
“The printer has the capacity to produce 3500 cards per day unlike the machines the bureau currently has which was producing about 200 cards a day and this will reduce waiting time,” she emphasised.
Speaking earlier, Dr Verita Buie who represented CDC said the U.S. government recognises the ongoing challenges NRB is facing, hence their response through procurement of two advanced and high-output printers. The first printer has been commissioned while the second one will be in the country very soon.
