Story by Gay Matambo
THE modernisation and refurbishment of the provincial civil registry office in Mutare has brought relief to residents of Manicaland Province who previously travelled to Marondera and Harare to obtain e-passports.
Before the upgrade, many residents dreaded visiting the registry office due to long queues and administrative hurdles associated with acquiring passports, birth certificates and death certificates. However, since the establishment of the new state-of-the-art facility in Mutare, the process has significantly improved.
One resident said the transformation had eased the burden on applicants.
“We thank the Government for these infrastructure development projects which include the civil registry office. It was a hustle to get a passport here in Mutare. We used to wake up early to join queues, but ever since the office was modernised, the situation has transformed. After seven days, the passport is ready for collection here. We no longer travel to Harare as we used to,” the resident said.
Another applicant noted that services are now more efficient and accessible.
“We are happy with this modern facility. Before it was upgraded there were long queues, but now one can come at any time of the day and receive assistance without challenges. Even when one needs a birth or death certificate, the processes are now smooth.”
Since opening its doors to the public in September last year, the Mutare registry office has issued more than 30 000 passports, in line with Government efforts to improve access to essential services.
Manicaland Provincial Registrar, Ms Joyce Munamati, said the upgrade has enhanced service delivery and improved working conditions for staff.
“We are happy with the way we are operating because it is now ease of doing business in the civil service. People are working in a conducive environment and we have moved from old structures to new ones following the President’s mantra of leaving no place and no one behind. In Manicaland, people no longer travel long distances. Mutare is the provincial capital and services are now closer to the people,” she said.
The modernised office is among several infrastructure projects implemented under the Government’s 100-day cycle initiative in Manicaland Province, aimed at decentralising services and improving public sector efficiency.
