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Gambia News : Immigration takes stock of biometric progress
The Gambia Immigration department, through a press release, has said the ongoing issuance of biometric identity cards and other documents is on track, gathering pace and achieving its aims.
According to the release, the project, officially known as the Gambia Biometric Identification System (GAMBIS), has registered a total of thirty six thousand eight hundred and twenty eight (36,828) people between July 2009 and January 26, 2010.
This means that 36828 biometric cards have been printed and issued; out of which 35,693 cards were procured by Gambians while 1135 were procured by foreign nationals.
The release disclosed that the Immigration department has put in place a host of measures to cater for the rising demand for biometric identity cards and that its staff are working extra hours to ensure that applicants are issued their biometric cards within 24 hours of application.
Among the measures that have now been put in place to ensure greater efficiency in the issuance of biometric cards, the immigration department says more stations and mobile units will be opened around the country in the “coming days” and that cards will continue to be issued with 24 hours of application “as a matter of security”.
There are currently three main stations in Banjul, Serrekunda and Brikama where the biometric cards are being issued. These are complemented by three mobile units which also serve private and public institutions as well as villages.
Since July 2009 when the project started, its operations have been gathering pace and according to the Immigration, this assertion is most evident in the fact that during the first 16 working days of January 2010 alone, the project registered 16896 identity cards, implying an average of 1,056 registrations per day, the record being 22nd January when 1,622 applications were processed.
The application forms, which can be obtained at no cost, are only for such applicants that are at least 18 years old. It noted that while efforts are being made to ensure that all applicants get their biometric identity cards, the fees for cards remain the same.
Another major highlight of the press release is the announcement that drivers and holders of the old drivers' licenses will not be penalized or prosecuted for not obtaining the biometric alternatives until a notice to that effect is made.
The release concluded by showing the project's appreciation to the public for the patience and discipline they have shown so far.
The GAMBIS Project, which is being managed by Pristine Consulting, claims on its website, www.gambis.gm, to be the world's first integrated Biometric Identity Management System through which “the Government of The Gambia will capture biometric details for all citizens and aliens in the country.”
It is expected to increase the security of identity documents in order to as well as to facilitate legal, commercial, governmental and financial transactions nation-wide.
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