By Bill W. Cooper
The Executive Director of the National Identification Registry (NIR), Andrew Peters, has assured the population that the agency will no longer be referred to as a “photo studio, ” a term being used in the past to describe the underperformance of the entity.
Peters outlined that the NIR under his leadership, has planned to revamp the agency’s operations, enhance service delivery, and ensure that the national identification process is both efficient and trustworthy.
However, the term “photo studio” became synonymous with the NIR during a period marked by long wait times, inadequate logistics, and a lack of transparency in the registration process and issuance of the country’s national ID card.
Some Liberians have often expressed frustration over the perceived ineffectiveness of the agency, which is to serve as a cornerstone for national identity management in Liberia.
But ED Peters, who took the helm of the NIR during the administration of former President George Weah, has further pledged his determination to change the narrative in line with the government’s developmental ARREST agenda.
The NIR Boss has at the same time disclosed that in the next few days and weeks, his entity will be consulting and engaging with relevant authorities to explore ways in which the NIR Act can be authorized.
This, he stressed that once it happens, it will enable the NIR to have a key role to amend and become a player in Liberia’s identification landscape. This, according to ED Peters, will give the agency more power, including the power of enforcement so that each citizen will have just one number instead of every agency or institution giving their own identity number.
Commenting on the newly signed MOU between the NIR and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), ED Peters said, “The MOU signed between the NIR and LTA for SIM Card/RUIM Registration, using the National Identification Card also known as Citizen ID Card, or NIR Card is for two years; 2024 to end of 2026.”
He explained that the purpose of the MOU is to establish a collaborative framework between the parties for the effective implementation of the Amended SIM Cards/RUIM Registration Regulations (LTA-REG-008).
He noted that parties to the MOU shall execute their respective roles, responsibilities, and obligations as defined by this MOU, consistent with the Telecommunications Act of 2007, the National ldentification Registry Act of 2011, and all applicable laws of the Republic of Liberia.
Peters narrated further that the intent is to facilitate the enrollment of all citizens and residents into the National ldentification Registry and support the interoperability of critical national databases/systems.
He maintained, “It is to also ensure all mobile network subscribers with SIM cards/RUIM are registered with valid and authenticated government-issued IDs as well as support the development of a robust, reliable and secured national ID database which is accessible to all sectors of the economy.
“This MOU is to promote the adoption and widespread use of national IDs by telecommunications and other sectors of the economy towards supporting digital inclusion and access to government, financial and other critical services.
And it is to also put in place one of the key components, the National Identification Registry, of Liberia’s Digital Transformation Project. We cannot do this alone. We need your support and participation to make this vision a reality,” Peters added.
