UAE | Government
Residents' queries clog EIDA networks
The Emirates Identity Authority's (EIDA) networks were overwhelmed following unexpected rush to register.
- Image Credit: Source: Emirates Identity Authority. Illustration by Guillermo Munro/Gulf News
Dubai: Several residents who went to register for the new identity card on Wednesday had to return with their mission unfinished as the Emirates Identity Authority's (EIDA) networks were overwhelmed following the unexpected rush caused by the announcement of the two-month deadline.
Rana Hassan, a Palestinian secretary, stayed over two hours trying to get through to the call centre to enquire about the procedures without success.
"It is frustrating to spend so much time trying to find information especially that they gave a short period for so many people to obtain these cards," she said.
Mohammad Omar, a Sharjah resident, said that he tried to access their website throughout the day. "The question is why do they give us so little time and they do not even prepare for the rush," he said.
Officials at the authority admitted that their networks were overwhelmed by a flood of enquiries.
Overloaded
Thamer Rashid Al Qasimi, Planning Director at the Authority, said the rush from the public yesterday overloaded their website and call centre and caused interruptions of services. "Hundreds of thousands contacted us today to enquire about registration procedures," said Al Qasimi.
Ninety-seven per cent of the Authority's network capacity was in use yesterday which made the website inaccessible, according to Al Qasimi, adding that the network capacity will double from Thursday.
However, Al Qasimi assured that the Authority is able to accommodate for the large number of applicants in these two months and no alternation will be made in processing and delivery timings. It around 15 minutes to submit the application and 48 hours to get the identity card delivered, according to the Authority.
"We have the resources needed to ensure the flow in the registration process and we meet every week to discuss our enrolment policies. So, we will increase our capacity in accordance to our needs," said Al Qasimi.
Currently, the Authority is able to issue 7,000 cards per day and the number is open for review. There are around 400 people working in their 28 centres across the country.
However, a certain modification of rules will be applied during December to ensure that they can provide services for all applicants, according to Al Qasimi.
For example, no advance appointment bookings will be allowed during December. Only walk-in appointments will be accepted and representatives from the Authority will no longer be able to come to company premises to register the employees.
Current capacity of main registration centres across the country, per day:
Abu Dhabi
- Al Mushraf : 700 applications
-Al Ain: 550 applications
Dubai
--Al Barsha: 450-500 applications
--Al Rashidiya: 450-500 applications
--Al Karama: 450-500 applications
Share this article
More from UAE Government
More from UAE
Popular in UAE

-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
The best reader pictures from around the UAE this week
Latest news
- Ministry opens hotline to report violators
- First well in relief project to honour scientist
- Help me find my precious cat
- AG expresses confidence in public prosecution's skills
- National ID needed for Interior Ministry services
- Meet to discuss ways to secure energy supplies
- Deyaar case: Expert asked to submit detailed report i
- Institute adopts best judicial practices
- Dubai hospital wins Spain architecture festival award
- Masters in construction law to address sector's concerns
- Private schools form lobby group
- New council to strike demographic balance
- Green moves make desalting plant less damaging
- Technology can negatively affect girls: forum
- Dubai-based British athlete attempts to swim around Palm in record bid
Community Reports
-
Help me find my precious cat
Raif, my cute eight-month-old ‘fur ball', went missing in Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen area last month
-
Pavement parking irks pedestrians
Gulf News reader calls on authorities to step in and stop car owners from invading pathways meant for safe walking
-
Faded parking lines pose a problem
Motorists could be fined for parking incorrectly even though they can hardly see the boundaries in the designated areas
-
School buses block residential parking
Commercial vehicles taking up free parking facilities in Al Wuheida, inconveniencing residents in surrounding villas


