THE Office of the Information Commissioner has been strengthened, and the Data Protection Act, 2020 is being operationalised on a phased basis as Government gets ready to roll out its National Identification System (NIDS).

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, in the throne speech during last week’s official opening of the new parliamentary year, told legislators that public education will be a priority at this stage of the system’s introduction.

Government, he said, has finalised the development of the national identification regulations, and successfully completed a pilot of the system.

“A unique digital identity for every citizen is a critical building for a building society. In 2023, the Government finalised the development of the national identification regulations and successfully completed a pilot of the system. In 2024, the National Identification and Registration Authority will be operationalised to commence enrolment and issue national identification cards,” he stated.

“More government services will be made easily accessible online through use of the electronic national ID card to enhance productivity and growth. The Jamaica Data Exchange Platform will also facilitate the consent-based exchange of data between the private and public sectors to drive digital innovation.

“The Government is renovating and upgrading post offices islandwide to serve as enrolment centres for the national ID as well as digital support centres. Design work for 23 post office renovations has been completed, and contracts have been approved for 12 post office modifications,” the governor general said.

The use of a unique national identity number (NIN) tied to each citizen’s identity will permit the digitalisation of government; reduce bureaucracy; and create dynamic and transparent records of Government-to-citizen transactions, encouraging efficiency and accountability.

The Government has said that the secure national identification system for Jamaica has the potential to positively transform the efficiency and transparency of interactions between the State and the citizens and residents, with significant additional positive effects for private businesses.

NIDS, when implemented, should provide a safe, convenient and reliable means for persons to prove their identity, while aiding in the furtherance of the digitalisation of Government, which is expected to reduce bureaucracy and encourage efficiency and accountability in the public sector.

Additionally, when government and private sector transactions are based on a secured NIN, supported by a national identification card (NIC), crimes such as identity theft, fraud, trafficking in persons and other crimes related to identity and property should be significantly reduced.