Persistent ID Document Gaps
Queues at Juba’s immigration offices lengthen whenever passport booklets run out, a problem that has recurred for years. Officials attribute interruptions to funding delays and high operating costs, leaving citizens stranded when planning travel, studies or medical care abroad.
Major General Elia Costa, head of the Directorate of Civil Registry, told Eye Radio that periodic shortages damage public trust but can be solved with predictable financing. “Availability of materials is purely financial,” he stressed in last Friday’s broadcast (Eye Radio interview).
Inside the Proposed 50-50 Split
Costa outlined a revenue-sharing concept now before the Ministry of Finance and the National Revenue Authority. Under it, every $100 passport fee would be divided equally: $50 deposited straight into government coffers, $50 transferred to the private contractor that prints the secure booklets.
“This is so we do not accumulate arrears,” Costa explained. He said all parties understand the principle but have yet to sign. Negotiators are still ironing out timelines, auditing procedures and banking details before sealing the accord.
Unpaid Bills and Technical Upkeep
The contractor claims more than $800,000 for recent system maintenance, database support and supply of holograms. Costa acknowledged the debt, adding that without settlement, the firm cannot import blank documents or spare parts vital for biometric enrollment equipment.
Finance ministry officials, reached separately, confirmed discussions but declined to comment on figures, citing confidentiality. A senior treasury source said only that “settling supplier dues is a priority because national security and citizen mobility depend on uninterrupted document issuance.”
Power Costs Drain the Budget
Beyond invoices, electricity weighs heavily on the directorate. Generators must run around the clock to protect fingerprint servers from power cuts, burning through roughly $600 daily. Costa noted that energy bills swallow most revenue, slowing plans to digitalise applications and open provincial offices.
Next Steps and Cautious Optimism
Costa remains upbeat that an agreement could be initialed “within weeks” once internal vetting concludes. He argues the 50-50 formula will guarantee stable supplies and eventually lower fees as volumes rise. Civil society groups say timely implementation could restore confidence in public administration.
Until then, applicants are urged to monitor official announcements rather than brokers. The directorate insists that production lines are ready; only cash flow stands in the way. A successful deal could become a template for other cash-strapped agencies across the region.