The increasing delays in issuing Identity Cards (BIs) result from the Government's inability to adequately control public-private partnerships (PPPs). In six years, since the PPP contract for the production of identification documents was signed with a Belgian company, Semlex, without a public tender, the waiting time for identity documents has increased from 15 to more than 90 days and the number of documents issued tends to decrease. An investigation by the Center for Public Integrity (CIP) shows that a poorly written contract and lack of supervision allowed the investment to be delayed and the service to deteriorate. CIP stresses that private companies can provide useful services to the Government, but there must be open competition, transparent contracts and close monitoring.
