Justice Department Initiates ID Card Delivery Campaign in Lobito

Lobito: The Benguela Provincial Delegation of Justice and Human Rights has launched a campaign in Lobito to hand over 5,000 national identity cards to applicants. According to Angola Press News Agency, this initiative arises from the issue that many citizens apply for identity documents at various locations across Benguela but do not return to collect them. Provincial Justice Delegate Cristina Guilherme explained that the campaign is part of a national plan to ensure universal access to identity cards. All municipal offices are working on strategies to enable citizens to collect their documents efficiently. Guilherme noted that residents of the Lobito municipality will have the opportunity to pick up their ID cards every Saturday throughout August. She mentioned that the results would be assessed at the end of the month, and the initiative might continue if turnout is encouraging. On the first day of this campaign, a team of nine staff members, including Guilherme herself, distributed 181 identity cards be tween 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The official emphasized using mass media, especially Rádio Lobito's public service program, to alert applicants about the service. The Provincial Justice Delegate acknowledged that a significant number of identity cards remain uncollected at the Civil Registry office, although she did not provide exact figures. Operational issues, such as delays in card issuance by the central authority in Luanda, have contributed to the backlog. However, local printing of documents in Lobito began in May to address these delays. Guilherme highlighted that many citizens only attend to their documentation needs when required for proof of life, school enrollment, or civil service exams, with some showing up with expired documents from as far back as 2020. She urged citizens to renew their ID cards six months before expiration and to collect them promptly to aid the efforts of the Provincial Delegation of Justice and Human Rights.