Liberia: Nimba Citizens Call for Additional Biometric ID Centers
Published: 13/Jun/2025
Source: Liberian Observer
By Ishmael F. Menkor
Hundreds of frustrated citizens and government workers have called on the National Identification Registry (NIR) and the Government of Liberia to open additional National ID card enrollment centers in Nimba County, as the only operational center in Ganta struggles to cope with overwhelming demand.
For weeks, the Ganta center has been packed with people — many traveling from remote areas such as Tappita, Gbi and Doru, Zekepa, Saclepea, and Buutuo — all in a frantic attempt to obtain their National Identification Cards before the June 1 deadline set by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s Executive Order. The order mandates that all public and financial transactions must be accompanied by a valid National ID card.
The situation has left many citizens stranded in Ganta, unable to return home or complete business due to the slow and often stalled registration process.
“I have been coming here for weeks to get my ID card but have not been able to go through the process,” lamented Sam Yini, an agent of the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA). “Sometimes the office is closed, other times the computer is not working. I can’t get my salary from the bank because I don’t have my ID.”
“We came from far distances. I’m from Gbi Chiefdom and have spent two weeks here,” said Paramount Chief Arthur W. Saye. “We appreciate the idea of the ID system, but the way it’s being implemented is punishing us. We are stranded and hungry.”
The Ganta center, located in a poorly maintained building, reportedly has only one outdated computer that frequently breaks down. Despite being the busiest center in the county, no backup system or sufficient technical support appears to be in place.
“If we had a good computer, we could process about 100 people a day,” said Bangadee Morris Kamara, senior registrar at the NIR Nimba branch. “This computer is too old and causes us too much trouble.”
On Tuesday, June 10, tensions peaked as more citizens poured into Ganta, further increasing the crowd. In desperation, some stranded registrants pooled money to send a technician to Monrovia in hopes of replacing or repairing the faulty computer — only for the same problem to persist upon return.
The Daily Observer’s visit to the scene showed chaotic conditions, with crowds of angry citizens — including business owners, teachers, students, and security officers — gathered at the registry building, many expressing fear of missing the national deadline.
“I took a loan from the bank and can’t repay it because I can’t access my account without an ID,” said Hestin Dolo, a local businessman. “This delay is causing me serious losses. Government should have planned better before setting this deadline.”
Gbarkay Ericson, a Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) officer, added: “When we go to the bank, we can’t get our money. When we come here, we can’t get our ID card. We are stuck and confused.”
“Even the banks are not accepting the NIR receipt anymore. They want the actual ID card,” said Esther Blessing Gaypue, another LIS officer. “Our children are out of school because we can’t pay their fees.”
Many say the current system is not only inefficient but damaging livelihoods and breeding public resentment. Citizens are calling for the establishment of additional enrollment centers in strategic locations across the county — particularly in Saclepea and Tappita — to reduce the burden on Ganta.
“This is not working. Government should open more centers to reduce the pressure here,” said Eleanor Goanue, a businesswoman from Saclepea. “People are suffering.”
Despite these challenges, there has been no official word from the NIR or the Ministry of Internal Affairs about decentralizing the process or upgrading the equipment in Ganta.
As the June 1 executive order remains in effect and thousands still without valid ID cards, concerns are growing that public frustration may escalate, particularly in areas far from Ganta where travel is difficult and costly.