Alarming numbers of missing ID cards flood public places

In the booths of companies, on electrical poles and other public places, thousands of missing National ID cards are spotted.

They are often hanged at the counters of travel agencies, money transfer agencies, banks and even on utility poles. It has become common nowadays to find missing ID cards in public places such as streets, schools, hospitals and even in markets. They are piled up in large numbers at radio stations which has a service and a program for missing articles.

At police stations too, lost ID cards are counted in large numbers. According to a source at the Nkolndongo, outside of those lost and lodged in these places by some citizens, they are also identity cards which have not been collected since they were issued.

This has become a major concerned as the owners are not coming to collect them. "Some come to get their cards when they are in dire need of it. When there's no emergency, they do not bother to pick it up. This week, for example, a user came to collect his card which had been issued two years ago," said a source.

The national identity card is a personal document that every Cameroonian at the age of 18 years should have. Without the national identification (CNI) card, there is a punishment of one-year imprisonment or a fine of 50 to 100,000 francs, according to the regulations in force.

It is however important for the public to note that, the National Identity card is not only useful for police checks; in case of accident for example or any other difficult situation, it is through the CNI that the victim is identified.