US$3m released towards Civil Registry Arrears

Zim Now Writer

The Civil Registry Department has announced the release of US$3 million by the government, through Treasury, to settle part of the outstanding allowances owed to staff who participated in the 2023 national mobile registration mop-up exercise.

In a press statement issued on Friday, the department confirmed that the amount is part of efforts to pay members who had only been partially compensated for their work during the initiative.

“Members who participated in this initiative were entitled to allowances and they were partially paid. The department is pleased to announce that government, through Treasury, has, however, released a total of US$3 million towards settlement of the outstanding allowances,” the statement read.

Despite the progress, a balance of US$3.7 million remains unsettled. “We are working closely with Treasury to ensure that the remaining amount is settled as soon as possible,” the department assured.

The department praised participants of the mop-up exercise for their dedication in delivering vital civil documentation services such as birth certificates and identity cards to rural and hard-to-reach communities.

“The department would like to take this opportunity to extend its sincere appreciation to members who participated in the mobile registration exercise for their hard work, dedication and continued patience,” the statement added.

While no specific timeline has been provided for the disbursement of the remaining funds, the department emphasized its ongoing commitment to resolving the matter and pledged to keep affected individuals informed.

The mop-up campaign was part of a national initiative aimed at increasing access to civil documents and reducing statelessness, especially in underserved regions.