By JULIUS PHIRI –

ABOUT 147,000 people have obtained their National Registration Cards (NRCs) in the ongoing mobile national registration exercise in Eastern Province.
Home Affairs Deputy Minister Colonel Panji Kaunda confirmed in Chipata yesterday that the province has exceeded its target of 80,000 people and the number was likely to increase before the close of the exercise in the first week of December.
Colonel Kaunda said the Government would ensure that the mobile voter and national registration exercise was conducted concurrently so that people were given chance to get both documents.
He acknowledged receiving reports that some people had no chance to register as voters because of lack of NRC’s as officers from the voter registration exercise visit their areas first before the ones from national registration.
Meanwhile, Col. Kaunda has warned erring traffic Police officers of stiffer punishment.
He sounded the warning when he paid a courtesy call on the Provincial Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo on Monday.
Col. Kaunda said it was saddening that some traffic Police officers were corrupt.
He revealed that traffic Police officers mounting a road block at Lutembwe Bridge along the Mwami Border road were allowing defective vehicles to pass through as he watched by the side.
“From now on, any traffic officer found mounting a road block in town roads will be committing an offence,” he said.
He said after an overhaul of the traffic section at Chipata Central Police Station any taxi operator found wanting would be taken to court to defend him or herself whether guilty or not guilty.
Mr Kasolo acknowledged the ministry’s move as positive as it would improve the public perception of traffic Police officers.
He commended Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) as one which was doing well in her operations.