By our correspondent
The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU with Euphoria Press Limited for the commencement of the production of a single biometric identity cards for Nigerians travelling within the ECOWAS sub region. The project is worth N14.7 billion. President Buhari with President of Togo Gnassingbe Fraure and President of Liberia George Weah as he arrives Togo ahead of ECOWAS-ECCAS Summit on 29th July 2018 Speaking during the event Tuesday in Abuja, Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau said the cards would have the same colour in all member states, including detailed information of the holder. He said that there was need for Nigeria to show Africa and the world that the nation is serious in providing integration services in West Africa. According to him; “The ECOWAS Biometric ID Card is meant to complement the effort of the present administration in enhancing integration in the sub region. It is meant to replace ECOWAS traveller certificate. Incidentally, we just signed an agreement with Interpol for security partnership within our borders, so the ID card is meant to complement this effort. “The project will cost N14.7 billion for 13 million cards. Nevertheless, due process will be followed in the execution of the project, especially the TSA that will be used for the execution of the project
. There must also be constant monitoring and evaluation for duration of the project.” Decorates new Fire Service CG In a related development, the minister has decorated AIhaji Liman Ibrahim as the new Controller General of the Federal Fire Service FFS following his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari. Ibrahim, until his appointment as Acting Controller General in March 2019, was the Assistant Comptroller General in charge of Policy, Regulatory and Inspectorate and the Service’s headquarters in Abuja. Performing the decoration, Dambazau said the federal government was committed to providing adequate leadership to citizens, hence the appointment of the best people in leadership positions. He said that government has provided new equipment to FFS in order to ensure efficient service delivery and timely response to emergency situations. “The fire service has never had it this good in the last 20 years. They have never seen the kind of equipment like in this administration. We have acquired a lot of engines to provide the necessary services to Nigerians and we are expecting more. “As CG, your major challenge is to ensure you maintain the procured equipment for the next 20 years before we can think of procuring more. You must educate yourselves on fire happening at all times to ensure prevention. The less you go out to put out fire, the longer you extend your equipment. If it happens, how do we handle them? So, time is a factor.” Also speaking the new CG promised to live up to expectations, especially by contributing his quota towards moving the agency to the Next Level. “I promise everyone that has confidence in me that I will not disappoint. I will do my best to move the country to the Next Level with my services in the FFS,” he said.
