In a bid to stop the manufacture and production of the e-ID card abroad, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has shortlisted the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company PLC and five other local firms for the production of National Identity cards locally.
According to the NIMC General Manager Finance and Administration Ibrahim Abdullahi, who spoke at the financial bid opening in Abuja, said the Commission’s decision to bring “back home the manufacture and production of the e-ID card used in the National Identity Management Systems (NIMS), besides the desire to build local content, is to develop “indigenous expertise and enhance technology transfer as well as create employment opportunities” in Nigeria.
A statement, Sunday, by the General Manager Corporate Communications for NIMC, Abdulhamid Umar also noted; “the Commission takes into cognisance of the fact that there is no local manufacturing firm that has been certified and or accredited or with sufficient experience to produce the e-ID Card.” Sources however said the firm (s) selected will be allowed to acquire the relevant skills set and will also be guided by the NIMC to achieve the set standards and certification.
“Six firms, including the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc, Electronic Pay Plus Ltd and Secure ID Ltd were among those selected by the Commission for final consideration. It was learnt that to ensure sufficient local capacity the NIMC plans to appoint a few of the firms and guide them in the process of attaining the appropriate technical specifications and global standards already set.”
Abdullahi said that since the card was launched in August 2014, the commission has taken delivery of about 6.6 million cards, part of the 13 million cards under the pilot scheme approved in 2012. Already these cards are being issued to their owners from Abuja and Lagos and within the first two months of 2015, from all state offices of NIMC, nationwide.