PH Residents Seek Harmonised Card System

Following challenges warranted by means of identification in Nigeria, residents in parts of Port Harcourt  have called on the Federal Government to consider the introduction of harmonised identity card in order to solve the problem.
This was the view of some respondents who spoke with The Tide in Port Harcourt recently.
According to them, the numerous means of identification in Nigeria have become problematic and ought to be addressed.
A respondent, Mr Obinna Amadi, said the country should have one means of identification rather than  moving about with several cards.
Amadi said driver’s licence, Voter’s card and the Automated Teller Machine (ATM), can be fused together.
The respondent, who is a software developer, stated that several means of identification paraded by Nigerians support criminal activities.
In her submission, Chika Martins, said having a single means of identification will enhance ease of doing business.
Martins figured a scenario where one could move out with one card which could allow bank transactions and be used as means of identification.
She expressed regret that those in authority only pay attention to things that will boost illegalities in their favour, thereby, increasing the sufferings of the poor masses.
A lecturer, Dr Monday, who was on the affirmative, said single identification will be both economical and convenient.
He x-rayed how convenient it could be for one to renew his/her cards once in three or five years at a particular place rather than moving to various agencies on same purpose.
The agency to handle such, according to them, should be the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
They argued that since the Commission is in charge of the National Identity Number (NIN), it should automatically act as a One- Stop- Shop.

By: King Onunwor