December 2013 is the projected timeline given by President Goodluck Jonathan for the delivery of the National Identity Management Systems (NIMS), which will harmonize all the data drawn from all ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) of government and, above all, manufacture a National Identification Number (NIN) for every Nigerian. The Chairman of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Barrister Chris Onyemenam, in this interview with LEADERSHIP’s Joshua Uma, reflects on the? journey so far, the challenges and achievements.
Tell us about the Commission?
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2007 provides for the establishment of the Commission, its functions and powers, the establishment of the National Identity Database, assignment and use of general multipurpose cards, the National Identification Number (NIN) and the harmonization and integrations of existing identity databases.
In addition, the Act also provides the Commission with powers to make regulations connected with its functions. National Identity Management Commission Act 2007 includes the repeal of the Law that created the former Directorate of National Civic Registration (DNCR) and the transfer of its assets and liabilities to the NIMC.
NIMC Act number 23 of 2007 also allows the NIMC to execute the following in line with the Commission’s objectives: to register persons covered by the Act; to assign a unique National Identification Number (NIN) to registered persons; to issue them with General Multipurpose Card (GMPC); to integrate the existing Identification Database in Nigeria.
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On September 28, 2011, the Federal Government approved the sum of N30.066bn for the implementation of the National Identity Management System (NIMS) and, one year after, the project has not taken off as many Nigerians have not been captured in the exercise or issued the National Identification Number or the General Multi-purpose Cards; what do you have to say on this?
Indeed, yes. The enrolment exercise has since commenced with the landmark enrolment of Mr. Olushola Amurawaiye on February 23, 2012. Equipment for this purpose have been deployed in the seven pilot states of the federation, namely, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, Bauchi, Kaduna, Enugu State and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with full enrolment in the NIMC Corporate Headquarters, Central Bank premises, Presidential Villa. Our FCT Office located is on the third floor of the ITF (Industrial Training Fund) building in Maitama, Abuja. By end of November, about 10 enrolment materials will be delivered to each state of the federation.
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Given the December 2013 projected timeline to deliver on NIMS, what has been the achievement so far by the Commission?
Quite a lot has happened; in fact, the Commission has recorded amazing progress and is indeed ready. Most importantly is that the back-end infrastructure, which is central to the delivery of the NIMS project, has been fully delivered and it is fully operational. Meanwhile, the components for the front-end which is managed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative has reached advanced stages of deployment in over 20 states nationwide.
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How far has the Commission been able to harmonize and integrate the identity databases of government agencies?
Well, over 14 MDAs already have their databases integrated. However, the integration mandate is an ongoing activity. For example, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), which is on the board of National Identity Management Commission, is currently capturing and collecting data from motoring Nigerians and non-Nigerian citizens. Essentially these data will ultimately be handed over to NIMC for management.
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How will similar data being captured from other government agencies be integrated into or with NIMC?
The National Identification Number will connect and integrate all the various databases of stakeholder agencies when fully deployed. In most cases, there will be no need for any further biometric data capture by the other agencies.
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Like in the previous times, do I need a physical card for identification?
You can assert your identity with or without a physical card. However, a chip-based national identity card will be issued to you after the NIN has been generated. Depending on the level of identity assurance required for a particular transaction or instance, an individual’s identity will either be checked visually by comparing the picture on the identity card with the facials, or through entry of the NIN or biometric into the web-based facility, such that the prior stored information on the individual can be used to confirm his/her identity. A Match-on-card can also be used; this involves comparing live fingerprint with fingerprint on the card by the use of a Card Access Device.
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What process is in place for the issuance and distribution of ID cards?
The Front-End Partners (FEPs) are responsible for personalization and issuance of the ID cards. However, to ensure rapid and efficient service delivery, third-party postal services, as necessary, would be utilized. It is expected that most cards will be collected at the enrolment centre by the owner because of challenges due to lack of proper addresses. The important thing though is that you can track your application through the third-party contact centres.
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The entire process involved in the exercise is labour and capital intensive, yet some of your workers were declared redundant, why was that?
Some of the NIMC bloated workforce were declared redundant due to the federal government policy on the Civil Service Reform of 2006 that requested all civil servants to improve their educational qualifications. In line with this government directive, NIMC, after taking over both assets and liabilities of the defunct DNCR, inherited a bloated staff, mostly junior officer cadre strength that is too big to manage in an IT-driven commission.
After carrying out a personnel audit in 2011, it was observed that only 500 workers had acquired additional qualifications? and were all cleared and absorbed into the system.
Also with the establishment of NIMC and the Governing Board, the Board approved a new structure that had room for only Nigerians with a minimum of first degree or HND as the entry qualification to the NIMC.
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Recently, the Commission sacked over 4,000 of its workers nationwide,? and considering the importance of the project and the December 2013 timeline, how does the commission intend to get the personnel to man the state offices and the registration centres in the 774 LGAs?
Basically, 2013 timeline is sacrosanct; we are all geared and focused on that dateline and, by the special grace of God Almighty, NIMC will deliver. On the necessary manpower, recall that the enrolment process shall be infinite, that is, there shall be no deadline of the enrolment exercise, like the previous exercise. However, the existing or remaining staff has been adequately trained to man all our operational locations pending the recruitment of capable hands into vacant positions nationwide, largely because our current staff strength will not be able to handle the magnitude of work on ground.
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Can you explain what stages and processes that are involved in the roll-out?
Yes, there are basically three stages and processes involved in the roll-out are: proof of concept; pilot in six states of the federation for a period of time and live production.
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Finally, can you tell us where the locations for the pilot exercises are?
Yes, the pilot locations are in the Federal Capital Territory, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Enugu, Kaduna, Lagos and Rivers states.
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