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National ID Cards Scheme to Kick Start with N6.3 billion

By on November 29, 2012

Minister of Communications, Omobola Johnson with National ID Card (inset)

The Federal Government has approved the sum of N6.3billion for the new identity card scheme.

The money approved is for the importation of 30 million smartcards for the registration of Nigerians for a new identity card.

The Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson said the scheme is expected to begin next month.

Speaking to Journalists at the State House, Mrs. Johnson said the first phase of the identity card scheme, which N34.2 b was already spent would amount to N30.1 billion in the subsequent three years.

She said the supply of the smart card is awarded to Messrs Auspoint Ltd, Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company and Telnet at N5.3 billion.

Messrs Chams Consortium Limited and Messrs One Scorecard Ltd will handle the second phase of the project for over N1 billion.

The first batch of smart cards will be imported, and later they will be manufactured in the country in fulfillment with the local content policy.

Johnson said, “The cards will contain both the National Identity number of every Nigerian citizen that enrols; it will also contain the biometric data for each citizen as well. The card will also host 13 applications and the reason for this is the beginning of the harmonisation and the integration of government agency databases for agencies that require the authentication and the validation of the citizen’s identity. And this will include things like the National Health Insurance Scheme, passport, pensions, drivers Licence, tax, voting data and, of course, payment systems as well.

“The first tranche of cards of 13 million that were approved by FEC today will be imported, but the personalisation will be done here in Nigeria. The expectation is that come 2013 when we order the next trench of cards, they will be produced and personalised in Nigeria, in furtherance of the local content agenda and job creation agenda of the Ministry of Communication Technology and of course President Jonathan’s administration.”

Mrs. Johnson added, “Anyone in the 36 states that enroll to get a social identity number will get the chip. It is on first come first served basis.

We are immediately going to the 774 local governments with connectivity. At the point of enrollment, you will be asked to show some form of identity that shows you are a Nigerian.”