Minister urged to address Nida, staff, challenges amid directives on ID distribution.

The lack of coordination between Nida and other government institutions, such as the National Electoral Commission (NEC), has also been a point of contention. Photo: Courtesy

By Adonis Byemelwa

Tanzania’s Home Affairs Minister, Innocent Bashungwa (pictured right), yesterday 17^th December 2024 issued a stern directive to Nida, the National Identification Authority, demanding the distribution of 1.2 million national IDs that have been sitting idle.

During a visit to assess Nida’s performance in Dar es Salaam on December 17, 2024, the minister set a strict two-month deadline, calling for immediate action to address inefficiencies that have plagued the agency.

“The cards are there; the people are waiting. You must trace these IDs and deliver them to their rightful owners. I want a full report in two months. No excuses,” Bashungwa declared.

The move comes in response to mounting public frustration over delayed ID issuance, a critical service that many Tanzanians depend on for accessing government programs and essential services. In addition to accelerating the distribution process, Bashungwa ordered Nida to replace defective or faded IDs at no cost to affected citizens.

This decision aims to remedy years of grievances stemming from poor-quality production. “People shouldn’t suffer because of errors that are not their fault. If their ID is defective, replace it without charge,” he emphasized, making it clear that service improvement is not negotiable.

Bashungwa also called for sweeping reforms within Nida to address systemic inefficiencies. He criticized the bureaucracy and negligence that have stifled the agency’s operations.

“Citizens deserve better. They should not have to endure delays caused by inefficiency or lack of accountability. Those responsible must face the consequences,” he warned.

This crackdown on inefficiency is part of a broader government reform plan aimed at streamlining services. In December 2023, Tanzania announced the merger of Nida and Rita, the Registration, Insolvency, and Trusteeship Agency.

 The goal is to create a unified system for managing national identification and life event registrations. When announcing the merger, Planning and Investment Minister Prof. Kitila Mkumbo highlighted the importance of this integration in realizing President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision.

“We are working toward a single identification system for all Tanzanians. However, achieving this requires these institutions to first clean up their internal inefficiencies,” Prof. Mkumbo stated.

While the merger is seen as a step in the right direction, Nida’s operational challenges remain a significant hurdle. Staff shortages, limited resources, and outdated systems have long hindered the agency’s effectiveness.

An employee in Kahama, speaking anonymously, described the strain of serving a large population with minimal staff. “There are only a few of us handling thousands of applications. The workload is overwhelming, and we don’t have the resources we need to cope,” the employee said.

The issue of unequal benefits between Nida and Rita's staff has also caused friction. According to another Nida employee, Rita staff receive monthly allowances of up to Sh 700,000, while their Nida counterparts receive far less, and even that is inconsistent. “We’re doing equally important work, but we’re treated like we don’t matter. It’s demoralizing,” the employee lamented.

Beyond staffing and allowances, other challenges persist, including delayed promotions and overly centralized systems that leave little room for flexibility. “Mistakes in the system can cost you your job. The pressure is immense.

We work extra hours, even weekends, just to clear backlogs, but there’s no appreciation or compensation,” said another staff member. These issues have not only lowered morale among employees but also contributed to the delays and errors that frustrate Tanzanians relying on Nida’s services.

These problems are not new. Since its establishment in 2012, Nida has struggled with funding shortages, poor planning, and logistical hurdles. Observers have repeatedly criticized the agency’s lack of preparedness in rolling out the national ID program.

 In the early years, registration efforts were hampered by inadequate staff training and a lack of public awareness campaigns. “The government underestimated the complexity of this task. They didn’t have a solid plan in place,” noted one analyst.

For citizens, the consequences have been significant. Delays in ID issuance and inaccuracies in personal details have left many frustrated. One resident of Dar es Salaam shared their experience: “I applied for my ID over a year ago, and when it finally arrived, my name was misspelled. Now I have to start the process all over again. It’s exhausting.”

Despite these challenges, some progress has been made. Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, efforts to improve Nida’s performance have intensified.

From 2021 to January 2024, Nida registered over 2.4 million citizens, bringing the total number of registered individuals to nearly 24.5 million.

During this time, over 2 million National Identification Numbers (NINs) were issued, and significant investments were made to support ID production.

Nida spokesperson Geofrey Tengeneza highlighted the agency’s achievements, attributing them to increased government support.

“The government allocated Sh 51.5 billion for procuring blank ID cards, allowing us to produce over 12.5 million IDs in just a few months. We’ve distributed more than 10 million so far, and we’re on track to deliver the remaining cards by March 2024,”

 Tengeneza explained. He added that the agency is committed to ensuring every registered citizen receives their ID without further delay.

However, critics argue that these efforts, while commendable, do not address the root causes of Nida’s inefficiencies. Chronic underfunding, inadequate staffing, and poor coordination with other agencies continue to hinder progress.

Some have called for a more holistic approach to reform. “Throwing money at the problem isn’t enough. The government needs to address systemic issues, including staff training and inter-agency collaboration,” said one observer.

The lack of coordination between Nida and other government institutions, such as the National Electoral Commission (NEC), has also been a point of contention.

Both entities have overlapping mandates but often operate in silos, leading to duplication of efforts and resource wastage. “Merging their functions under one roof would make more sense. It would eliminate redundancies and ensure better use of resources,” suggested an analyst.

Amid these challenges, Bashungwa’s directive has injected a sense of urgency into Nida’s operations. By setting clear deadlines and demanding accountability, the minister aims to restore public trust in the agency. “This isn’t just about meeting targets; it’s about rebuilding confidence in our public institutions. Citizens need to know that their government is working for them,” he said.

For many Tanzanians, the stakes are high. A functional national ID system is not just a convenience; it’s a lifeline for accessing social services, opening bank accounts, and participating in elections.

 As Bashungwa pointed out, “A national ID is more than a piece of plastic; it’s a gateway to opportunities. Every Tanzanian has a right to this gateway.”

The next two months will be a critical test for Nida. Whether the agency can meet Bashungwa’s deadline and implement the necessary reforms remains to be seen.

What is clear, however, is that the minister’s message has resonated both within Nida and among the public. The clock is ticking, and the expectation for change is higher than ever.