National Identification System on Track for 2020?

April 21, 2016

The National Identification System (NIDS) project remains on track for full implementation by 2020, Project Director in the Office of the Prime Minister Denzil Plummer has noted. 

The NIDS will allow for the identification of Jamaican nationals and persons ordinarily resident in Jamaica, and will provide a comprehensive and secure structure to collect and store personal identity information.

Mr. Plummer has indicated that: “The project which began in 2011 is on scheduled to meet its original completion date of 2020.   Phase one of the project was completed in 2015 within budget, following a 17-month extension.”

He further added that phase one, the preparatory segment, was completed with grant funding of US$670,000 from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and counterpart financing of US$120,000 from the Government of Jamaica.  This phase involved developing the legislative and institutional framework; designing the NIDS ICT architecture; conducting an economic and cost/benefit analysis; carrying out a baseline survey, and developing a communication and behaviour change plan.

Phase two which is set to begin this financial year, is estimated to cost some US$500,000. Activities under this segment, among other things, will include submission and approval of the NIDS policy; promulgation of the related legislation, and the establishment of the institutional framework.

The third phase will ensure the completion of the NIDS hardware and software system roll-out and the activation of the National Registration Commission, among other activities.

The NIDS is expected to become the primary source for identity verification and authentication in Jamaica, and will enable citizens and residents to benefit from more efficient access to government services.