Plans are well underway to send draft regulations for Jamaica’s National Identification System (NIDS) to Parliament for review and eventual approval.

In the next few weeks, Jamaica’s legislature is expected to receive the proposed regulations, which are now being finalised. Last year, the Government pledged to factor in proposals from the public regarding the draft regulations to govern the National Identification and Registration Act, which was passed in October 2021.

The NIDS law, which aims to provide a one comprehensive identification for each citizen and improve the ease of doing business, was enacted after 40 years of delays across various administrations. Minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with oversight for skills and digital transformation, Senator Dana Morris Dixon, that the regulations set out the appropriate framework to govern the NIDS.

Security safeguards of regulations 

She highlighted the security safeguards of the regulations, saying it will help in dissipating fears and lack of trust which Jamaicans have about the national digital ID.

According to her, “This is a very big kind of digital project for Jamaica. We know that we are in a low trust environment in our country. And we also know that there are many Jamaicans who may be afraid of this digital change or even having this kind of national ID. so it is very important that through the regulations that govern everything that we do, that the security element is very strong.” 

Speaking on a local radio programme recently, Morris Dixon pointed to the importance of NIDS arguing that it will facilitate the way people have access to important services. She emphasised that it will take the country very far in terms of increasing financial inclusion because the ID will make it possible for more bank accounts to be opened.

She explained that the regulations will make it possible for individuals to get notifications if their identity is being verified by any authorised entity. The Government was hoping to introduce the digital ID in the first quarter of this year with the regulations being passed into law, but it is yet to reach the Parliament.