The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, said it has cleared outstanding payments due to its licensed Front End Partners (FEPs).
Head, Card Management Services of the Commission, Dr. Peter Iwegbu, disclosed this to Online Publishers in Lagos, noted that plans are being concluded for the roll out of the new national identification card, which will be for every citizen of the country.
The card will be issued on demand to the citizens and residents either from any of the commercial bank of their choice or from the NIMC office and 10-year validity period.
“The new national identity would be a debit card, will feature a uniform price across the country, would have biometrics and the facial identifications and signature of the bearer, it would be useful for accessing government’s social services, palliatives and other benefits including the students’ loan scheme.
“In line with government’s local content policy and as part of efforts to ensure data protection and security, the production of the card would be domiciled in the country, as it is being produced by an indigenous firm, AFRICO. One other thing that differentiates this GMPC from the previous attempts at producing a national ID card is that the former ones were to be issued by only one bank, but the current one is to be issued by all the banks, which leaves the card owner with a choice of the bank to use.”
He stated that the Commission and the banks are at the final stage of integrating the card with the various platforms before its eventual roll out in the next two months.
He noted that the card when i introduced will be accepted globally due because its EMV-standard
of the current economic hardship on the members of staff by introducing some allowances, provision of transport services for them to and from work, which also serves as a morale booster for them.
The Director General of the Commission, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote had in January this year promised to pay all outstand debt due to FEPs .
She slso expressed her sympathy with the FEPs who have been burdened with running their businesses for 2 years without payment.
