Kumba: inhabitants complain of nightmarish experiences to obtain ID cards

The process of obtaining a national identity card in Cameroon is still a major problem for many citizens across the country.

In the North West and South West regions, inhabitants describe the stages they go through to obtain one as a nightmare.
At the Police station, Mile 1 Kumba, long queues can be seen with each person having documents in hand waiting for their names to be called up in order to obtain their ID cards, and others to extend the expired ones.

Most of them who are from neighboring villages like Matoh and Ikiliwindi say it has taken them quite a number of days only to get through the process.
 
Aside from the complex situation of processing the documents needed to produce the ID cards, many say they have gone for years without obtaining the original cards.

“I have been here for close to three days now whenever I come the place is always full, with few officials to attend to us. It is disturbing and you have to wait here for hours before your name is called up,” Blessing Tinge lamented.

Others say they need to “chip in something” ( money) before they can get their original cards or for them to be attended to with ease.

“Even when original cards come you need to pay something in order for your card to be checked otherwise the authorities keep sending you to a list which is not updated to check your name once you don’t see you have no option but to extend the card. Once you have someone that can help you, you don’t take long here, “ a source spoke in anonymity.

Many complain they have been harassed by elements of the Police severally due to the numerous checkpoints mostly because they have over-stamped receipts which are often very old and barely visible.

“It’s been two years now anytime I come they keep extending it, and the original has not yet come. It is a problem for me as the receipt is really old and when traveling I am being stopped at checkpoints,” another source Mesumbe Lilian lamented.

The General Delegation for National Security, DGSN, announced that national identity cards have been made available since October 23rd, 2022 in all police stations across the country and they can be consulted on their website at www.dgsn.cm

According to DGSN, all identity documents including resident cards and refugee cards have been made available. However, the situation is still worrying as many complain they are unable to get their originals three months after they are produced and some go for years without the originals which pose a problem to them.