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The government has discontinued the mass enrollment of the Integrated National Registration Information System (INRIS).
This would allow the government to re-allocate the resources meant for INRIS exercise towards addressing the impact of drought and other disasters.
Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister, Jack Mwiimbu, said this in Lusaka on Thursday in Ministerial Statement in Parliament.
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The minister said the impact of climate change had made Zambia’s socio-economic status vulnerable.
“The destruction caused by the prolonged drought threatens national food security, water and energy supply,” Mwiimbu said.
He said the impact of climate change called for President Hakainde Hichilema to make drastic decisions.
“The President has declared the drought a national disaster and emergency, directing resources from the 2024 national budget towards addressing its impact. As a result, mass enrollment on the INRIS has been temporarily suspended to allocate resources to drought relief efforts,” Mwiimbu explained.
He added that other challenges such as economic recovery, debt burdens and the recent cholera epidemic contributed to the decision to suspend mass enrollment on INRIS.
Mwiimbu, however, said that birth certificate issuance and other civil registry services through the INRIS would continue despite the suspension.
“Citizens are encouraged to register all births and deaths with the Department of National Registration, Passports and Citizenship,” he advised.
The Minister, however, assured members of the house that once the suspension was lifted, efforts would be made to ensure all citizens and eligible residents were uniquely identified to enhance internal security and service delivery.
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