Confusion as Sapele residents’ besiege NIN office

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

Sapele residents today besieged NIN office at Sapele Local Government Council Secretariat to get their National Identification Number so as to prevent their SIM card from being blocked amidst confusion arising from information from different quarters.
It was gathered that people came to the secretariat as early as 4.00 am only to end up with collecting forms at the cost of N100 but unable to process it further.
Persons that pleaded anonymity said some persons paid N5,000 and their forms were processed while others that could not afford the N5,000 were left to their fate.
As at the time of visit, people were scattered around complaining, with no one to attend to them. At some quarters, officials of the NIN office were seen asking those whose forms had been collected to come tomorrow, Wednesday, January 13, 2021.
It was observed that of the two capturing machines at the centre, only one was functional. This has added to the difficulty in handling the huge number of persons that came for registration.
Speaking with some persons that came for registration, the story was the same.
Peter Oseibe said he came as early as 6.00 am and had not been able to do anything apart from getting the form at a cost of N100.
According to him, “You do not even see or know who to approach to ask questions or make inquiries as the NIN officials are were not on desk.”
Mrs Okpako Oriaka said she had the old national ID card and sought to know if it would suffice her in getting her NIN number without registration.
Harriet Ojokpa said in the midst of all the confusion and difficulties, the government should consider extension of the period of grace before blocking SIM cards.
Security personnel were seen in to venue maintaining law and order.
All efforts to speak with NIN officials on ground proved abortive as they were not on their desk and the ones seen addressing some persons declined comments.