Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has officially inaugurated the new Kavango West Regional Office of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security in Nkurenkuru, aimed at improving access to civil registration and identity services in the region.
Speaking at the inauguration on Thursday, the President said the state-of-the-art facility marks a significant step in expanding government service delivery, particularly for residents who previously had to travel long distances to access essential services.
Before the establishment of a regional office, residents of Kavango West relied on limited services in Kahenge and Nankudu, and were required to travel up to 140 kilometres to Rundu to obtain identity documents. The opening of the office in Nkurenkuru is expected to ease this burden and provide a wider range of services locally.
Photos: Namibian Presidency
Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that the region has made progress in civil registration, with birth registration rates increasing from 67.3% in 2016 to 77.1% in 2023. However, she said more work is needed to reach the national average of 86.8% and ultimately achieve universal registration.
“Legal identity is a right that belongs to every Namibian citizen,” she said, urging parents to register children promptly and avoid delays that can lead to complications later in life.
The President also emphasised the importance of registering all vital events, including births, marriages, divorces, and deaths, noting that accurate data is essential for national planning and development.
She further called on the Ministry to strengthen immigration services in the region and ensure strict compliance with laws governing citizenship and the issuance of national documents. Officials were urged to uphold integrity and prevent fraudulent practices.
The new facility will offer services such as birth and death registration, marriage and divorce registration, as well as applications for identity documents and passports. It will also cater to visitors and residents requiring immigration services.
Nandi-Ndaitwah encouraged residents and officials to take pride in the new office and maintain it, adding that improved infrastructure should translate into more efficient and effective service delivery.
