PM Holness: NIDS Bill to Pass By the End Of 2020

NIDS Bill – Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the government hopes to pass the National Identification System (NIDS) Bill by the end of this year.

Holness who was speaking during the first sitting of the house with all members of parliament sworn in after the general election says the  Coronavirus, COVID-19  outbreak has given rise to the need for a digital society and the country must adapt in order to recover from the virus.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the recent distribution of the COVID-19 Allocation of Resources for Employees (CARE) programme has revealed severe issues.

From properly identifying and verifying residents to banking information and making payments, more importantly ensuring those who are benefiting from the programme are among the most vulnerable groups. 

The Prime Minister is hoping that the National Identification System Bill will be passed this year after the cabinet approved a policy for the use of minimum biometrics, this includes fingerprints, a facial image, and a manual signature only, one of the issues highlighted when the bill was first debated in 2018. 

Meanwhile leader of the Peoples National Party (PNP) Dr, Peter Phillips welcomed the move and called for another committee to be established to help review the NIDS Bill.