The Abia State government, southeast Nigeria, has launched a Social Identity Number Scheme, with a call on the people to key into the programme for effective planning towards the well-being of the populace.
The Social Identity Number Scheme is a robust identity management system, with a platform to capture the biometrics of the users who can seamlessly enroll themselves using internet enabled phones and Free of Charge.
Speaking at the official launch of the scheme at the Governor’s Lodge, Aba, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who enrolled at the event, noted that the importance of data in Governance cannot be over-emphasised, as it will enable government in planning and administration.
The Governor, therefore, directed all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately embrace the Scheme, adding that henceforth, it will be difficult to pay Civil Servants who do not have the identification number.
The Abia State Social Identity Number is equally a mandatory requirement for people to transact official businesses with the State government, just as the Governor insists that the Number makes a resident, a full citizen of the State.
The Permanent Secretary and Executive Secretary of the Abia State Planing Commission, Nnenna Chikezie says about two million residents are targeted to be captured within the next twelve months.
(Edited by Tunde Orebiyi)
