Following the challenges faced by citizens of Plateau State in enrolling for the National Identity Number, NIN, as a result of few enrolment centres, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has secured the licensing of Plateau State as a service provider for the enrolment of Nigerians residing in the State.
The approval which was conveyed to the Governor by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy through the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Aliyu Aziz, indicates that the Plateau State Government can now participate in the registration of citizens of the State into the national identity database in line with the provisions of the NIMC Act and other guidelines issued.
Reacting to the development, Governor Lalong said he was excited that the State secured the approval which will not only reduce the hardship faced by citizens in obtaining the NIN number but will also help the State ensure that all its citizens are captured into the national identity ecosystem.
“Now that Plateau State has been granted the license to provide data capture and enrolment services for the issuance of the National Identity Number, we will ensure that centres are created in all the 17 Local Government Areas and other strategic towns in order to ensure seamless, quick and efficient enrollment of all citizens and other Nigerians residing in the State,” Governor Lalong said.
He also directed the Commissioner for Science and Technology to immediately work with the Plateau State Information & Communication Technology Development Agency, PICTDA, to further liaise with NIMC towards finalizing arrangements and acquiring the necessary equipment for the successful implementation of the programme.
Governor Lalong also mandated them to ensure that arrangements for suitable facilities are made and training of the requisite manpower is done in record time in order to guarantee the enrollment of eligible persons within the State into the Nigerian Digital Ecosystem.
Also Read: Zamfara State Governor guarantees residents of improved security, gives victims of Janbako attack N5m
He appealed to the citizens of Plateau State to exercise more patience while facilities are put on the ground for the commencement of the enrollment services throughout the State and urged residents to cooperate with the officials during the exercise and provide accurate data to avoid complications afterward.
The licence granted to Plateau State is for one year and is subject to renewal upon satisfactory performance during the period
(Editor: Abaje Usekwe)
