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Persons wishing to acquire new Identity (ID) cards in Buea, Fako Divion, South West Region of Cameroon have expressed total frustration over the manner with which the officers in charge of the process treat those who come around to procure their cards. They indicated that the officers show great signs of arrogance and sluggishness amidst the huge influx of people wishing to procure new ID cards. They echoed their bitterness, Friday September 21, 2018 after police officers chased them away from the Molyko Police Station, on grounds that the required number of persons to be treated for that day had been attained. According to the upset and wearied individuals, the procurement officers decided to stick to only 50 persons per day, even though there are more than 300 people who comb their office to be attended to.
They cried out loud that people leave distant areas as early as 5:00am only to reach the police station when the first and only 50 persons have been selected for the day. “I left Buea Town at 5:00am, trekked for over 100 miles before I succeeded to get a taxi around Great Soppo. When I arrived the police station, I met a group of frustrated people who had been told that the first 50 persons have been selected, and that we should only come on Monday. As if that was not enough, the police officers threatened us with a gun so we could be dispersed from the premises. I find the whole setup so frustrating, especially for some of us who live very far. Today made my 10th time of coming here but not still being successful,” Luma Esther, a witness recounted her story. They decried why the police officers would accept only 50 persons per day when the Molyko Police Station is the only venue for the procurement of ID card at the moment. “Given that out of all the 5 different ID card centres in Buea, only that of Molyko still functions, it would have been incumbent on the officers to consider the high influx of those wishing to procure a new ID card. Unfortunately, they derive so much pleasure in frustrating us day after day. We plead with the authority that be, to consider us, especially now that not having an ID card is a great risk,” Sylvester Akum, another witness pleaded.
It should be noted only the Molyko Police Station issues ID cards at the moment. When we contacted authorities on explanation, we were told that the machines of the Central police Station and that of Buea Town, broke down, while that of Bojongo and Muea were suspended due to insecurity.
On the matter of the sluggishness in issuing the ID cards, we were hinted that special measures are being taken to scrutinise those coming to make new ID cards so that the state property doesn’t fall in the wrong hands. However, we were assured of some improved measures to be taken to contain the huge influx of those wishing to procure ID cards.
