The Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has urged the agency’s Front End (Enrollment) Partners (FEPs) to serve as good ambassadors of the commission. She also warned that NIMC would not spare any of them found engaged in unwholesome practices.
Coker-Odusote made these remarks in Abuja during the just-concluded 4-day training for the first batch of newly revalidated Front End Partners.
A press statement released on Friday by Ayodele Babalola, the technical adviser on media and communications to the DG, assured participants that the revalidation was a management decision to sanitise the enrollment process and to audit invoices inherited by her administration on the outstanding debts owed to the FEPs.
“On assuming office, we observed countless infractions and unwholesome practices in the NIN enrollment and modification services. Most of the reports of infraction, upon investigation, were attributed to some of our Front-End Partners.
“I am not exonerating NIMC staff completely, but, as you may be aware, on different occasions, I led sting operations to some of our offices, where some staff were caught red-handed perpetrating unwholesome conduct.
“And don’t forget that I inherited huge debts owed to FEPs for over two years. Some of the invoices and claims were questionable, requiring proper auditing.
“The rot in the process and system left me with no option than to take deliberate steps towards sanitising the enrollment process.
“And to this end, I directed that NIN enrollment activities at all FEP centres be suspended temporarily, pending the outcome of a revalidation exercise.
“My decision to direct the revalidation of all FEPs was not targeted at any one or group. It was a step towards sanitising the system and processes, while ensuring the integrity of data in the country’s identity database. It was also one of the steps towards proper auditing of the claims made by some of our FEPs. The revalidation exercise was part of the steps towards ensuring compliance with the highest standards of data security among the FEPs.
“Please be advised that the revalidation exercise is being implemented in phases. This is just the first and not the last.
“Let me use this medium to remind you all that NIN enrollment is free of charge in Nigeria. My administration has zero tolerance for corruption. We shall, therefore, not spare anyone found perpetrating corrupt practices or any other form of infractions,” she added.
While thanking President Bola Tinubu for his support, the DG reiterated her earlier promise to ensure that FEPs with genuine claims are paid whatever they are owed very soon.
