The Ministry of Justice has acknowledged that the newly launched mobile birth registration application has seen limited uptake, with an average of only two applications received each month. Collin Yabaki, the Director of Corporate Services, shared these insights during discussions with the Standing Committee on Justice, Law, and Human Rights while reviewing the ministry’s annual reports covering the years 2019 to 2022.
Yabaki noted that the initiative has successfully simplified the birth registration process, particularly for parents residing in urban and semi-urban areas. However, he also pointed out that rural and maritime regions encounter significant hurdles in accessing such digital services due to challenges like poor internet connectivity and geographical barriers.
To address these issues, Yabaki mentioned that the ministry’s awareness teams are focusing on remote areas to ensure that every citizen, regardless of their location, has the opportunity to register births. He emphasized, “Despite the introduction of this digital solution, adoption has been limited,” attributing this to a lack of awareness among citizens in these regions, as well as some overseas clients.
An important aspect of the application is that it offers free registration, with the first certificate issued at no charge for every new registration. This incentive aims to encourage parents to take advantage of this convenient service and avoid delays in birth registration.
To further enhance familiarity with the app, the Ministry of Justice plans to conduct outreach in remote communities, demonstrating how to effectively use the application.
This initiative, although still facing challenges with adoption rates, highlights the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to streamline vital services. With continued efforts to raise awareness and improve access, there is hope that more families will benefit from this mobile registration system in the future.
In summary, while the mobile birth registration application is currently underutilized, the Ministry of Justice is actively working to overcome barriers to ensure all citizens can enjoy its benefits.
Leave a comment