South Sudan on Wednesday launched nationwide civil registry, in an attempt to count every South Sudanese citizen.
The exercise was launched by President Salva Kiir in the capital Juba.
“The civil registration process is very important to the people and it will be there because it will act as a headcount to the people,” Michael Chiangjiek, Minister of Interior told Radio Tamazuj.
The civil registration process, according to Chiangjiek, will be a continuous and permanent recording of the personal data of South Sudanese citizens.
The minister said they commenced the process in the capital Juba.” We have started with Juba today and we will extend it to the states very soon,” he said.
“This event marks an important milestone because there is no country without civil registry. We were supposed to have it shortly after independence,” he added.
The interior minister noted that the acquisition of the personal ID card would be necessary for citizens for them to receive state-rendered services, including banking transaction and land registration.
“It is very important also in the transfer of ownership of properties, registration of land, opening of a bank account and other things. Personal ID card is a very important document for our citizens,” he stressed.
Minister Chiangjiek called on all South Sudanese citizens to register.” I want to tell our people that it is very important to acquire this important document,” he said.
South Sudan started issuing nationality certificates and electronic passports in January 2012.