PLANS may have been concluded by the Federal Government to initiate a law that would enforce the compulsory possession of the national identity (ID) cards.

From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja

Also, as part of efforts to ensure that all Nigerian adults get the cards, the Federal Government said it will in 2006, produce over 24 million cards for distribution.

Director of the Department of National Civic Registration, Alhaji Shuaibu Sabon-Birni, told reporters in Abuja at the weekend that as soon as the department concludes the nationwide distribution of the cards, the use of the national ID cards would be made compulsory.

"We should be compelled to use our ID cards because that is our means of identification. Many countries in the world do that. We are borrowing from

them and will enforce the use of the cards. The national ID cards are our national heritage. They are our own national forms of identification. They should, therefore, be possessed by all Nigerians", he said.

Sabon-Birni, however, agreed that first, the cards must be produced and widely distributed before such a law comes in motion.

He informed that the cards had been so far distributed to 11 states namely: the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bayelsa, Ogun, Yobe, Adamawa, Benue, Lagos, Sokoto, Delta, Edo and Ebonyi.

He stressed that the department had also completed production of cards for Kebbi and Kwara states, which would be distributed during the Christmas break.

He also spoke on his targets for the New Year and the authentication machines, which have started arriving.

He added that the department would embark on more vigorous public enlightenment for those who have just attained the age of 18 and urged those who could not register to come out and do so".

The Department of National Civic Registration also said it had taken possession of the prototype authentication machines.

"Those machines are going to be used by commercial houses and other agencies where you will need to use your cards. All the agency needs to do is to make you put your fingers on one of the machines and you are quietly identified. If the bankers want to use it, they will acquire it. If the Police want to use it, then they will

acquire it too", it said.

Sabon-Birnin said members of his staff who have been accused of conniving with people to extort money from the public in exchange for the cards are still being investigated by security agents, vowing to dismiss any of them found culpable.