Cameroonians criticize government’s move on new passport center

Many Cameroonians are said to go on for years without ever obtaining a National Identity card after applying for them. Others have been forced to resort to bribes in order to have their cards delivered within reasonable time.

The move to create a new biometric passport center in Douala has been greatly criticized by many who think passports are bring prioritized over Identity cards.

“Identity Cards are the most essential but due to the fact that the passport pays more than the ID cards, they prefer passports first. But why? Not everyone wants to travel,” a Cameroonian said.

“Is it that Cameroonians now need passports more than they need the national identity card, which has been a serious problem for almost a decade now?,” some social media comments read.

While some criticize this move, others are happy about it stating that it will save them the stress of traveling to Yaounde every time they want to make their passports.

During the inauguration of the new biometric center in Doula on September 29, 2023, the Delegate General of National Security Mbarga Nguele announced a 48-hour procedure of establishing and delivering National Identity Cards in Cameroon which he says will in the months ahead go operational.