News
JAM | Jan 12, 2023

February 21 deadline given for public to review NIDS regulations

Tamoy Ashman

Tamoy Ashman / Our Today

Reading Time: 2 minutes
Minister without portfolio in the office of the Prime Minister, Floyd Green.

Minister without portfolio in the office of the Prime Minister, Floyd Green is urging Jamaicans to read and provide feedback on the National Identification System (NIDS) regulations that were tabled in Parliament and available for public viewing by February 21, 2023.

The draft regulations will outline the processes of application, renewal and cancellation of NIDS cards. Jamaicans will also see regulations addressing security, assignment of NIDS numbers and tribunal appeal.

Green, who was speaking during his address in Parliament urged members of the House to seek feedback from those in their constituency.

“We’re encouraging the members of this House to take the regulations, to speak to their various constituencies to inform their constituence and to get feedback. [They should also] pass that feedback to the Office of the Prime Minister.”

Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness (centre), listens as Project Manager, PBS Consortium, Jorge Rueda (right), outlines the features of a card printer during a tour of the national identification system (NIDS) card centre at the Post and Telecommunication Department on South Camp Road in Kingston on January 4. Also listening is Machine Operator, NIDS, Rogjae Seymour. (Photo: JIS)

He added that he is also encouraging “all Jamaicans, eligible residents to read the regulations. Feedback should be provided to the Office of the Prime Minister, the NIDS project executing team and we have established an email address, [email protected].”

A deadline of February 21, 2023 was then given for feedback on the regulations to be provided.

Green noted that “it is intended that the regulations will be in place by the first quarter of the new financial year.”

Minister without portfolio in the office of the Prime Minister, Floyd Green (left) and Prime Minister Andrew Holness both hold a replica of the National Identification System (NIDS) card.

In order to ensure a smooth process, he said that adequate time is needed for the feedback to be reviewed and changes made if necessary before the matter is debated in Parliament.

“We are determined to make the lives of our citizens easier, but we are also determined to ensure that they participate in this process.”

The National Identification System is a database that will collect person information and biometric data of all citizens in Jamaica who wish to participate, issuing them a unique lifelong National Identification Number. This number will serve as a secure and reliable way of verifying a person’s identity.

– Send feedback to [email protected]

Comments

What To Read Next