[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n its commitment to the success of identity harmonization project in Nigeria, the World Bank has identified the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) as a veritable stakeholder that could be relied upon to achieve the goal. This was stated by Dr Vijay Madan, the World Bank Specialist on Digital Information for Development during his courtesy visit on the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi at the National Headquarters Abuja
According to Dr Vijay, World Bank is concerned with the issue of multiple identity cards which different organizations issue to Nigerians for specific identity-related purposes. He noted that if well harmonized, all the identity –related activities being carried out by different organiosations in the country could be handled by a single organization with lead agency status to the project as the National Identity Management Cmmisison (NIMC) was empowered by its Act to do.
The World Bank Specialist for Digital Identification for Development commended the FRSC for its huge investment in information and communication technology and sought for collaboration with other relevant agencies in the collective determination to achieve harmony in the process in the country. He further observed that such harmonization could lead to optimal use of equipment and reduction in cost of production and having an identity programme that could provide all necessary information from which others agencies can tap.
In his remarks, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi thanked Dr Vijay and members of his delegation for the visit. He expressed the willingness of the FRSC to share its expertise in biometric data capturing with other agencies, disclosing that the Corps is currently collaborating with the Nigerian Identity Management Commission for harmonization of its data as directed by the President to achieve cohesive national database of citizens.
The Corps Marshal further disclosed that as part of the efforts by the FRSC to share its information on drivers’ license and number plates with the relevant stakeholders in the military and security agencies, the Corps is organizing a one day workshop for the representatives of the identified agencies for better understanding of the FRSC’s data process.
Dr Vijay Madan was accompanied on the visit by some senior officers of the World Bank in Nigeria.
