However, according to Permanent Secretary Samuel /Goagoseb, these lengthy processes are likely to be shortened by March, when the ministry starts to use 70 computers it received from the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) yesterday.

The computers are also expected to help the Home Affairs Ministry automate all its records of births, deaths, marriages, changes of name and permits.

"Through the ongoing automation processes within the ministry, we would be able to reduce the waiting period for IDs from the current 724 days to 24 days and for passports from three months to 10 days," said /Goagoseb, when he received the donation.

"The computers will also allow for greater integration and availability of real-time statistical data and assist the Government in accurately allocating resources for development planning throughout the country."

He said the ministry had analysed its production processes and identified the exact areas where the 70 computers will be used.

/Goagoseb said plans are afoot to install digital lines and upgrade intranet connectivity within the ministry in partnership with the private sector and the Office of the Prime Minister.

"This will allow us to have a trail of audit of all the transactions in the production line, from the time of receiving any application for a national document to the point of final production and dispatch," he said.

The new system would also enable the ministry to trace unusual transactions in the production line, thus reducing the possibility of corrupt practices such as the fast-tracking of applications for financial or other rewards.

/Goagoseb told a hearing of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Public Accounts last year that there was a backlog of 4 000 ID applications.

Victor Tonchi, Chairperson of the ECN, said the elections body still had about 230 computers and newer computers would be acquired when the need arose.

"We all know that the lifespan of a computer has been reduced significantly and we can't have computers just lying around waiting for the next election in four or nine years' time while they can be used somewhere else within Government," said Tonchi, in response to questions from the media.

He said the computers would not only benefit the ministry but also the ECN through the setting up of a direct data link between the two public institutions.

- Nampa

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