Prime Minister makes surprise visit to National Directorate of Registry and Notary
The Prime Minister, Rui Maria de Araújo, made a surprise visit to the National Directorate of Registry and Notary (NDRN), from the Ministry of Justice, on October 19th, to get first-hand knowledge of its operation.
The NDRN is responsible for the process of legalization of documents, issuing of identity cards, passports and birth certificates.
Rui Maria de Araújo went to all departments of the NDRN and through its staff took note of the functioning of this institution, as well as of the front-office service department. Users were also heard by the Prime Minister, with suggestions and criticisms.
The Head of Government was informed that daily about one hundred people wait in queue to deal with passports and identity card. Payment is made in the bank, which delays the processing of documents.
The National Bank of Commerce of Timor-Leste (NBCTL) showed interest in establishing a small office in the NDRN, and the Ministry of Justice is currently investigating this possibility in order to facilitate the payment process.
The Prime Minister also raised the possibility of creating a single card for health, education, ATM, voting, among others. To this end, a meeting to discuss this possibility was requested to the Ministry of Justice.
During the visit, the Chief of the Executive was accompanied by the Minister of Justice, Ivo Valente, the National Director of Registry and Notary, Maria R. Fátima Castro de Araújo and the Inspector General of the GIA, Francisco de Carvalho.
