Despite the introduction of a mobile birth registration application, the Ministry of Justice says they only receive about two applications through the online platform every month.

Director of corporate services Collin Yabaki explained this to members of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law, and Human Rights during deliberations on the ministry’s 2019-2022 annual reports.

Mr Yabaki said the initiative had significantly streamlined the birth registration process for parents in urban and semi-urban areas.

“However, we recognise the rural and maritime areas face additional challenges in accessing digital service due to factors like limited internet connectivity and geographical remoteness,” he said.

“This is one of the reason our awareness teams are targeting the remote and maritime areas to register births so that no one is left behind.

“Despite the introduction of this digital solution, adoption has been limited. On average, we receive no more than two applications per month through the mobile registration platform.”

Mr Yabaki said one of the key challenges was that many citizens in remote areas, and some overseas customers, were not yet aware or familiar with the service.

“Key aspects to promote includes that registration through the app is free. The first certificate is issued free of charge for every new registration, encouraging parents to use the convenient service to avoid delays in the birth registration.”

He said the ministry could travel to remote areas and communities to demonstrate how to use the application.