ST ANDREW, Jamaica — Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding has slapped down criticisms by some church leaders of the proposed National Identification System (NIDS), describing their comments as “superstitious”.

Golding who was speaking at a forum at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC)’s main campus in New Kingston, cited two instances in the past when there was strong opposition and apprehension about innovations by Government, namely the introduction of the National Insurance Scheme and the National Family Planning programme.

I believe we will outlive the current pushback,” the former prime minister said.

Golding, who was responding to a question from the audience about the feasibility of NIDS, said he needed greater assurance about the security of the data collected and access to the information by unauthorised state agencies. He was also critical about the blocking of citizens’ access to critical state services, if persons could not produce their identification cards. The former prime minister disclosed that the matter of a national identification system has been on the table for a prolonged period, but a bi-partisan decision was taken to proceed with the electoral identification aspect first.

 Echoing the sub-theme of the lecture – Improving Governance in the 21st Century — Golding asserted that Jamaica was now a modern society that required effective management using digital technology.

Responding to another question from the audience, the former Prime Minister advocated the criminalisation of breaches to the contracts award system. “The strongest message that you can send to dissuade corruption is to catch the perpetrators and punish them — that is the deterrent,” Golding stated.