The federal government, on Tuesday, signed a memorandum of understanding with Euphoria Press Limited for the commencement of the production of single biometric identity cards for Nigerians travelling within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the N14.7 billion project in Abuja on Tuesday, the minister of interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau said the cards would have the same colour in all member states, including detailed information of the holder.
He said there was need for Nigeria to show Africa and the world that the nation is serious in providing integration services in West Africa.
“The ECOWAS Biometric ID Card is meant to complement the effort of the present administration in enhancing integration in the sub region. It is meant to replace ECOWAS traveller certificate. Incidentally, we just signed an agreement with Interpol for security partnership within our borders, so the ID card is meant to complement this effort.
“The project will cost N14.7 billion for 13 million cards. Nevertheless, due process will be followed in the execution of the project, especially the treasury single account (TSA) that will be used for the execution of the project. There must also be constant monitoring and evaluation for duration of the project,” he said.