THE Ministry of Administrative Services is pleased to announce that work is currently in progress to merge the Civil Registry and the National Identification (NID) program under a new unified body: the Papua New Guinea Civil and Identity Registry (PNGCIR). This initiative is aimed at improving the resourcing and delivery of key registry objectives and will directly address the ongoing challenges related to birth certificate and NID card backlogs.
The integration of these two crucial systems under the PNGCIR will streamline operations,
enhance service delivery, and allow for better allocation of resources. This is a significant step toward resolving the long-standing issues that have affected the timely processing of birth certificates and NID cards. We are committed to ensuring that every citizen has access to these essential services efficiently.
Furthermore, we are also pleased to announce that the Department of Personnel Management is currently processing applications for the position of Registrar General for the Civil and Identity Registry.
The new Registrar General, once appointed, will undertake critical reforms designed to
improve the overall performance and responsiveness of the registry, ensuring it meets its
mandated responsibilities effectively. This leadership change is a key part of our strategy to
address the past challenges and deliver better outcomes for our citizens.
We acknowledge the concerns raised by the public regarding delays in the processing and printing of birth certificates and NID cards. These concerns are being taken seriously, and with the upcoming appointment of a new Registrar General and the implementation of reforms within the PNGCIR, we anticipate significant improvements in service delivery. Our focus is on addressing these issues efficiently and providing the public with the services they need in a timely manner.
As part of our commitment to improving service delivery, discussions are progressing on how PNGCIR services will be decentralised. This initiative aims to empower Provincial and District Administration Offices to assist in the processing of National Identification (NID) cards, as well as the issuance of birth, marriage, and death certificates. This decentralisation effort will ensure that citizens across Papua New Guinea can access essential registration services more conveniently, without the need to travel long distances to central offices. By enabling local administrations to handle these critical functions, we are taking a significant step toward achieving a more inclusive and accessible civil registration system.
The National Identification (NID) card remains an essential document for identity verification and is increasingly critical for various processes, including opening bank accounts, obtaining a driver’s license, applying for passports, registering for SIM cards, and depending on future electoral reforms the NID Card will be important for voter registration and validation process as we transition to a biometric voting system. We are currently evaluating to make the NID card a mandatory requirement for critical government processes. As we move forward with these reforms, we will carefully consider all views and opinions to ensure that our decisions reflect the needs and concerns of all Papua New Guineans.
We remain committed to making the PNGCIR a modern, efficient, and reliable institution that serves the people of Papua New Guinea. We will continue to keep the public informed of further developments as we move ahead with these reforms.
