House Passes NIDS Bill

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 21) approved the 168 amendments made by the Senate to the National Identification and Registration Bill, which seeks to establish a reliable identification system for Jamaica.

A National Identification System (NIDS) is intended to provide a comprehensive and secure structure to enable the capture and storage of identity information for all Jamaicans.

Each citizen will be provided with a randomised nine-digit National Identification Number (NIN), which they will have for life.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in his remarks before the passage of the Bill, sought to allay concerns regarding the enrolment of persons and the penalties for those who do not comply.

He noted that there is a maximum fine of $100,000, “but the judge can use their discretion, and I am expecting that the judge would. We have removed the option of imprisonment, totally removed it,” he said.

The Prime Minister also cited Clause 41, which requires citizens to present their national identification (ID) number/card in order to receive goods or services from any public body.

Mr. Holness argued that currently, persons have to present an ID to get any service from the Government.

“But we have made sure to write in a protection in the event of health or something that is life-threatening or a natural disaster or a national emergency. Then, the system of presenting a national identification card would be suspended. So, we are not here trying to deprive the citizens of Jamaica of their rights,” he pointed out.

“We cannot continue to look at the Jamaican State as the enemy of the people. I am not the enemy of the people, and it is time that we reject that idea. Yes, there must be strong voices to ensure that Government does not go astray, but we cannot start on the assumption that when we stand here to pass legislation we are passing legislation to deprive people of rights,” the Prime Minister added.

The layered roll-out and management of the NIDS will be handled by a new agency, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), which will replace the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) and provide more enhanced services.

Roll-out of NIDS is slated to begin with a pilot project in January 2019, focusing on civil servants.