NIDA collects data for national IDs

National Identification Authority (NIDA)

The National Identification Authority (NIDA) has started collecting biometric information from 2.6 million Dar es Salaam residents ahead of issuing them with National Ids.

Thomas William, the NIDA’s head of Communications and Documentation said the exercise will start in Temeke district covering those who filled their registration forms last year.

“The information includes finger prints, electronic signatures and other personal details like age and gender,” William said.

Preliminary wards are all streets of Kimbiji, Pemba Mnazi, Kigamboni, Vijibweni, Kibada, Mjimwema, Somangila, Kisarawe II, Tungi and the streets of Mtoni Kijichi, Mgeninani and Misheni in Kijichi ward.

William explained that the work was to start as soon as Parliament Budget session ended, but was delayed by the visit of US President Barack Obama and the heads of state attending the smart partnership dialogue in Dar es Salaam.

There are other glitches however, like shortage of data entry clerks and registration officers to take information of people, the current ones are working on temporarily basis but despite the set back the official asserts:

“We have organised ourselves well and people will be notified before the commencement of the exercise through the media and other outlets,” he said noting that the authority has ordered (imported) for more equipment to efficiently conduct the exercise.

“We need people to be cooperative and provide correct information,” William said.

NIDA has so far issued IDs to 220,000 civil servants and a few selected citizens.

President Jakaya Kikwete inaugurated the national identity cards project in February this year when the first 46 IDs were issued to top government leaders and a few prominent persons, marking a milestone in the registration and identification of Tanzanians.