Mogadishu, (SONNA) — The Director General of Somalia’s National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), Mr. Abdiweli Tima’ade has responded to public concerns following social media posts showing Somali citizens queuing late at night outside NIRA centers to obtain their National ID cards.
In a statement published on his official Facebook page, the Director reminded citizens of the official procedures for obtaining the National ID and outlined the steps the agency has taken to reduce congestion and long queues at its service centers.
“I saw a video showing Somali mothers sitting outside one of our NIRA offices in Banadir region late at night. Therefore, I would like to clarify a few points,” the Director said.
He expressed regret that citizens had to wait outside the centers during inappropriate hours and emphasized that the agency had doubled its efforts to improve service delivery. According to him, NIRA now serves nearly 20,000 people daily — a significant milestone that demonstrates the progress made in the registration process.
In response to citizens’ complaints, the Director announced that some NIRA centers will now operate both day and night to make registration more accessible. “The centers in Hodan and Bondhere districts are now open from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight,” he stated.
He further reminded the public that all NIRA offices open every morning at 7:00 a.m., noting that there is no benefit in arriving before official working hours.
The Director reaffirmed NIRA’s full commitment to registering all Somali citizens while taking into account their different circumstances. He also stressed that obtaining the National ID remains completely free of charge, urging the public to exercise patience, follow official procedures, and respect the regulations set by the agency.
