FG moves to introduce new identity payment cards for older citizens
Tamarauemi Ebimini
The Federal Government has taken steps to introduce a new multipurpose seamless Identity, (ID), card meant for senior citizens age 60 and above to serve as vehicle for financial inclusion regardless of geographical location.
Director General, National senior Citizens’ Center, (NSCC), Dr. Emem Omokaro, made this known at a round table meeting with banks and related institutions on production of Senior Citizens Identity Card, yesterday in Abuja.
She said the project being carried by the Center aims to ensure older persons are fully involved in economic and social activities using a specialized identity card that is conducive for such economic and social services and also gives them access to age friendly services, age friendly environment, access to concessions and discounts from services and transactions among others.
Dr. Omokaro said “NSCC by this meeting would leverage on available platforms to provide sustainability of development programs for older persons through a Public Private Partnership, (PPP).
Director General of the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC), Engineer Aliyu Aziz, said discussions for the production of the senior citizens identity card between NIMC and NSCC began since February last year and so far, huge progress has been made.
Represented by the Director, Information Technology and Identity Database, Chucks Onyepunuka, he stressed the importance of engaging the senior citizens in this country and creating a platform where they can identify with one another and also put a program in place for them.
Speaking on the basic features of the identity document, Assistant Director NIMC, Nwosu Chima, explained that the card is user-friendly and works seamlessly across all transaction channels using the National Identity Number, (NIN) feature of the bearer.
He said the card is a payment card just like a bank card encrypted with the identity biodata of the bearer and that the project has already been approved by the Federal Executive Council, (FEC).
