Monrovia – Amid mounting public frustration over delays within the issuance of Liberia’s Nationwide Identification Playing cards, the Authorities of Liberia has introduced the quick suspension of the ID card program. Concurrently, the Central Financial institution of Liberia (CBL), in collaboration with the Nationwide Identification Registry (NIR), has instructed monetary establishments to calm down enforcement of the Nationwide ID Card as a requirement for banking transactions.
In a joint launch, authorities cited “administrative causes” for the suspension, noting that the general public would learn when mass enrollment resumes.
By Jaheim T. Tumu | [email protected]
“The issuance of the Nationwide Identification Playing cards is hereby suspended with quick impact for administrative causes. The general public can be knowledgeable of the date of resumption of mass enrolment,” the discharge acknowledged.
The transfer follows rising nationwide scrutiny over persistent setbacks within the rollout of the biometric Citizen ID Card system. The Home of Representatives has summoned high NIR officers to offer readability on the challenges stalling the method.
In a separate assertion, Appearing Data Minister Johnny S. Tarkpah urged all private and non-private service suppliers to adjust to the suspension directive.
CBL, NIR Backtrack After Boakai’s Government Order Sparks Backlash
The abrupt coverage shift comes within the wake of Government Order 126, lately signed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, which mandated using the Nationwide ID Card for all official transactions, together with banking, public service entry, and verify encashment.
Whereas the Government Order aimed to enhance id verification and streamline public service supply, its implementation has been marred by chaos. Hundreds of residents—regardless of finishing registration, biometric seize, and cost—have but to obtain their ID playing cards, successfully locking them out of important providers.
The state of affairs has prompted backlash from each residents and lawmakers.
This week, the Home of Representatives’ Plenary summoned the management of the NIR following a proper communication from Rep. Moima Briggs-Mensah of Bong County District #6.
Rep. Briggs-Mensah, Chair of the Home Committee on Gender Fairness, Baby Growth, and Social Companies, described the state of affairs as a “nationwide embarrassment.”
“Rural residents, authorities staff, contractors, and susceptible teams are unable to entry important monetary providers because of delays in receiving their nationwide ID playing cards,” she wrote.
She additional criticized the ID requirement for banking transactions, arguing that it unfairly burdens residents, particularly these outdoors Monrovia, and known as for the Liberian passport—a globally acknowledged type of identification—to be exempted from the coverage.
“This Government Order on the NIR is a critical subject. A lot of the designated locations for the Citizen ID card aren’t working. That is irritating our folks. The NIR officers should come right here to elucidate a means ahead,” she emphasised throughout her tackle to Plenary.
The Larger Image: Nationwide ID or Nationwide Headache?
Government Order 126 was supposed to formalize nationwide id, enhance public sector accountability, and improve monetary transparency. Nevertheless, operational failures—together with non-functional enrollment facilities, prolonged delays in card issuance, and poor public communication—have highlighted important administrative shortcomings.
Critics argue that the federal government’s heavy reliance on a dysfunctional ID system has inadvertently disenfranchised 1000’s of Liberians from public providers, payrolls, and banking entry—the very points the system was meant to resolve.
Now, with the ID program suspended and banks instructed to calm down enforcement, each residents and lawmakers await solutions—and pressing reforms—from the management of the Nationwide Identification Registry.
