The Jamaican Government has announced plans to further enhance access to the national identification card by modifying an additional 19 post offices across the country.

The decision was disclosed by Floyd Green, minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 16).

The government intends to initiate a tender process later this year to select contractors who will undertake the modifications. These modifications aim to transform the post offices into modern and state-of-the-art enrollment facilities, ensuring efficient and convenient access to the national identification system.

The move follows the ongoing construction of an enrollment center at the Post Office Mall in Liguanea, with groundbreaking ceremonies scheduled for Mona and Constant Spring.

Speaking about the project, Green expressed the government’s commitment to providing a seamless experience for individuals seeking their national identification cards. He mentioned that the proposed modification plans for the Mona Post Office would involve creating an almost entirely new facility, capitalising on the adjacent campus to generate interest among students in obtaining their national identification.

In addition to the post office modifications, Minister Green revealed that the government had engaged a consultant to spearhead the digitisation of at least 100 government services that rely heavily on identification.

The National Identification System (NIDS) will play a crucial role in streamlining these services and making life easier for Jamaican citizens. Programs such as the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) are expected to benefit significantly from this initiative.

Furthermore, Green announced that the government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ten deposit-taking institutions, highlighting their involvement in leveraging the NIDS to improve the quality of life for all citizens. Four workshops have already taken place to explore innovative ways to utilize the NIDS platform effectively.