The Balanataman Local-Level Government in Rabaul District has signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the ENB Provincial NID & Civil Registry Office, aimed at extending NID and civil registration services down to the ward level.
The agreement seeks to ensure that all citizens within Balanataman LLG are registered under the National Identity (NID) programme, improving access to essential government services through verified identity documentation.
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Witnessing the signing at the Balanataman LLG chambers was Provincial Community Development Advisor Paul Kapa, who emphasized the importance of the programme and strong partnerships in service delivery.
“This is a great initiative where government is empowering institutions to assist in delivering services. They have the expertise and manpower; our role is to resource and support them,” Kapa said.
He added that possession of key documents such as birth certificates and NID cards provides citizens with legal identity, improved access to services, and personal security.
While acknowledging challenges associated with the programme, Kapa stressed that successful rollout at the LLG level requires teamwork and cooperation among all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Provincial Senior Registration Officer Judy Chanel said 39 per cent of Balanataman LLG’s population was covered during a mass registration exercise conducted in 2019.
She explained that data collection, form lodgment, registration, fingerprint capture, and birth certificate processing are carried out within the province, while NID card production is undertaken in Port Moresby.
“The remaining 61 per cent is still out there and covering them is a mammoth task. We face challenges such as logistics, limited financial support, internet connectivity issues, and incomplete forms, which at times affect our turnaround time,” Chanel said.
She noted that service agreements and partnerships like this will help ease these challenges and bring essential services closer to people at the ward level.
Balanataman LLG President Hon. Leonard Maing, who is also the Community Development representative on the Provincial Executive Council, commended the LLG administration for the initiative and urged both parties to work collaboratively to achieve full coverage across the LLG.
Similar arrangements are expected to be rolled out across the remaining three LLGs in the district.