NIN: FG faults Nigerians’ ‘firebrigade attitude’ for crowd at NIMC centres
By Ariemu Ogaga
The Minister of Commununications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami has faulted Nigerians’ ‘firebrigrade attitude’ for crowd, disregard for COVID-19 protocols at National Identity Management centres.
Pantami said this during the weekend while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
When asked why the government has insisted on NIN registration despite the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.
In his response, the Minister cited NIMC Act 2007 section 18. He noted that the law approved about 13 years ago stating that “each citizen was given 60 days to obtain National Identification Number (NIN). From that time till now why didn’t people comply with the law? This is more than 10 years. Even a child; as long as the person has been given birth to, within 60 days you are supposed to have NIN.”
He said, “Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. What I am saying that this pandemic started only around January 2020 and was reported in Nigeria around February or March; so, why did we fail to comply with the law for over ten years ago?
“Secondly, for you to say the Ministry is adamant on this is a height of injustice. Why? I mentioned to you about the statement made on December 2020 signed by NCC and NIMC.
“They said that every registrant must comply with the Federal Government’s directives – the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. It was clearly stated. More so, I went to the registration centre last week. I was interviewed by ChannelsTV’s reporter and you can infer from the video that PTF’s guidelines were followed. We even interviewed Nigerians there: ‘do you have any complaint?’ The answer was No. They were asked ‘if money was extorted from them’. They said No. The video is there. Nobody complained.
“It is also important to note that we are not the law enforcement agencies that will compel citizens to comply with directives of this nature. Our role is to constantly remind people the need to do that. Visit the markets, how many people are complying with the protocols? It has nothing to do with NIMC or the Federal Government rather individuals need a change of attitude.”
