The Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote has charged the agency’s Front-End Partners (FEPs) to be good ambassadors of the commission.
She also warned that NIMC would not spare those found engaging in unwholesome practices.
Coker-Odusote stated this in Abuja at the opening of a 4-day training for the first batch of newly revalidated Front-End Partners.
She, however, assured participants that the revalidation was a management decision to sanitise the enrolment process, while also auditing invoices inherited by her administration on the outstanding debts owed to the FEPs.
“On assumption of office, we observed countless infractions and unwholesome practices in the NIN enrolment and modification services. Most of the reports of infractions, upon investigation, were done by 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 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 but to take deliberate steps towards sanitizing the enrolment process.
“And to this end, I directed that NIN enrolment 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 anyone or group. It was a step towards sanitizing 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 enrolment 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,” Coker-Odusote added.
While thanking President Bola Tinubu for his support, the NIMC DG reiterated her earlier promise to ensure that FEPs with genuine claims are paid whatever they are owed very soon.
Commenting on the development, representatives of the newly revalidated Front-End Partners, Haruna Abdu of MURNA Foundation, Osah Uche Prince of GOMFID Mutiservices and Stellamaris Oseruo of JOREAL Nigeria Limited, took turns to commend the new NIMC management for taking steps towards sanitising the system.
