Reps Investigate Prolonged Delay in the Release of the National Identity Card

... As Odimayo Emphasized the Critical Need for Timely and Efficient Service Delivery, Underscored by this Inquiry

In a significant development, 

The  House of Representatives Joint Committee on Population and Anti-Corruption held an investigative hearing on Thursday  to address the prolonged delay in the release of National Identity Cards spanning from 2012 to the present.

 The chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on National Population Commission, Hon. (Prince) Okunjimi Odimayo,  said the investigation  aimed to uncover the root causes of the delay in issuance of the national identity cards, saying it had adversely affected citizens across the nation.

In a statement by his Media Director, Mr Victor Adedeji, Odimayo highlighted the government's commitment to bolstering national identification systems and also

emphasized the critical need for timely and efficient service delivery underscored by the inquiry.

 

Speaking at the inquiry meeting, the Committee Chairman said: “On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, the House deliberated and resolved to mandate the Joint Committees on Population and Anti-Corruption to ascertain the delay on the release of National Identity Cards from 2012 to date. 

“The House feels the Legislature has to play its role in line with Section 88(1) (a) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). Because of this provision, the Committees are vested with this mandate.

“This clarion call has become necessary since the National Identity Card Management Commission (NIMC) as established by the law is charged with the responsibility of collecting, managing, and controlling citizen’s data for effective economic planning and development growth. 

“The Commission also agreed with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement the presidential directive on harmonization and integration of Biometric Data captured by Government parastatals. 

“The directive aimed to improve biometric data captured  among government agencies and enhance identity management  but, the Commission’s headquarters and its state counterparts are ineffective in delivering this national  assignment to the people, particularly in releasing the national identity  cards for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

He added that it was to the effect and furthering on the mandate of the motion that the Joint Committees conveyed the  Interactive session in which all would interact on the critical issues for the delay on the release of the national identity cards  from 2012 to date.

According to him, after the deliberations, the joint committees would organise a full-blown Public Hearing as circumstances might warrant as regards the issuance of the cards. 

He assured all stakeholders  that  no stone would be left unturned in the discharge of the committees’ responsibilities on any matter referred to the Committees by bringing various competences to bear in every issue.