The Federal Government is partnering with the private sector under a Public Private Partnership agreement to produce thirteen million ECOWAS biometric identification cards for Nigerians worth 14.7 billion naira.
The Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau, said this at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU between the Federal Government and Euphoria Printing Press in Abuja.
Dambazau said the agreement, which would last for ten years, would be fully financed by the private partner.
He said the Nigeria Immigration Service would be saddled with the responsibility of issuing the cards to Nigerians.
The minister reiterated the ECOWAS mandate to ensure an identity card to member states of the same colour, with biometric features of the holder that could be checked instantly.
He said that it would reduce the time spent at entry points and enable the Interpol identify persons involved in cross border criminal activities within the region.
