The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ali Isa Pantami, has directed the immediate suspension of staff members involved in the extortion of applicants over the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) registration.
This came after reports of extortion at some enrolment centres in Bauchi and Kaduna states.
Reacting to the report, Dr. Pantami directed the suspension of those involved in the two centres.
He also restated his zero-tolerance stance on extortion, bribery and corruption.
@DrIsaPantami directs the immediate suspension of staff extorting applicants at NIMC enrolment centers. @aliyuaziz @FMoCDENigeria @NgComCommission @NITDANigeria @UwaSuleiman pic.twitter.com/8dTD1OEuJ6
— NIMC (@nimc_ng) January 3, 2021
Dr. Pantami further said if such an unethical act is allowed to fester, it would derail the NIN-SIM integration project.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had ordered all network providers operating within the country to deactivate all SIM cards that are not registered with the owners’ National Identity Number (NIN).
ALSO READ: FG Extends NIN-SIM Card Linking Exercise
The government had initially given a two-week ultimatum; however, after much outcry from Nigerians, the agency approved three weeks extension for subscribers with NIN from December 30, 2020, to January 19, 2021.
FG moved the deadline from December 30, 2020, to February 9, 2021, for subscribers without NIN.
NIMC adopts booking system for NIN enrolment
NIMC officially introduced a booking system for the registration of the NIN.
The Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy (FMCDE) disclosed this in a press statement.
According to the statement, the recent enforcement of the SIM-NIN linking exercise has occasioned a huge demand for NIN.
As such, there has been a large crowd visiting the NIMC enrolment centers every day.
While the second wave of COVID-19 is still on the rampage, the Federal Government wants to curtail the spread that could be caused by overcrowded spaces.
NIMC in its statement will now attend to applicants based on a new booking system.
Effective December 30, 2020, the booking system would require applicants to visit any of the NIMC enrolment offices closest to them to book an appointment.
This exercise, according to the statement, will only run between 9 am to 1 pm every day.
Once admitted, number-issuing queue management will be in place to ensure strict orderliness.
More so, the new development will also ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols put in place to curb the spread of the virus.
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