UAE | Government
100,000 Emiratis face fines over ID
They have failed to register despite the deadline which runs out on December 31.
- By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:32 December 27, 2008
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Abu Dhabi: Any exemption - for fines pending on more than 100,000 Emiratis who may fail to register for ID cards by Wednesday's deadline - must be given by the UAE Federal Government.
Officials told Gulf News that the government may look into the matter within a few days.
The Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) does not have the authority to exempt anybody from the Dh 1,000 fine set by federal law, said Thamer Rashid Al Qasimi, Planning Director and Project Management Director at EIDA. "At present, no Emiratis including children are exempted from fine".
The official said many people requested fine exemption or a deadline extension from EIDA, but only the Federal Government could make the decision.
The government will look into the matter after assessing the number of people who failed to register before the deadline, he explained.
Considering the last minute rush, EIDA will work on two public holidays this week - today and Thursday, said the official. "EIDA registration centres all over the country will work during the holidays from 9am to 4pm".
"Fifty per cent of our staff will work on Sunday and the rest of them will work on Thursday, so both sections can enjoy at least a holiday", said the official.
Al Qasimi said that although the latest statistics were not available, more than 100,000 Emiratis would miss the December 31 deadline. "About 229,000 Emiratis were yet to register by November 30"
The number of expatriate professionals at the registration centres increased last week, said the official. Gulf News had reported on Tuesday, December 23, that the number of expatriate professionals lining up for ID card registration had gone down following the announcement of no fines, and a deadline extension.
"They have started coming again as they have to complete the registration before February 28".
He said it was estimated on November 30 that about 493,000 of estimated 600,000 expatriate professionals were yet to register.
A new appointment system will be in place by early next month on the EIDA website, said Al Qasimi.
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