Government has disclosed that it is in the process of introducing Biometric National Registration Cards (NRCs).
The Biometric NRCs will be embedded with a security chip containing data of the holder and its biometric features would make it difficult for the identity card to be forged as is the case with the current cards.
Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Maxwell Nkole who disclosed this in Lusaka yesterday said the security features contained in the chip would, among others, address electoral malpractices.
“We have plans now to introduce the Biometric identity cards which are going to have security chips on them and which will be compliant with the electoral system. This is the programme we are working in conjunction with the Department of National Registration here (Kamwala).
“And with improved work environment here, we feel that once we roll out that programme of national registration it should greatly be able to be managed effectively and on time and therefore alleviate most of the problems that have been associated with electoral votes,” he said.
About US $6 million from Government and cooperating partners has been budgeted for the implementation of the project.
The first phase of the pilot project would be in Lusaka where the Biometric NRCs are expected to be introduced by June, 30 this year to be followed by the second phase in other provincial centres until district level.
From the initial eight successful bidders, three were shortlisted from which one successful firm is in the process of being selected to implement the project by a steering committee.
And in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Nkole during the launch of the US $4.8 million customer service centre at the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship (DNRPC) in Lusaka’s Kamwala area yesterday, Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu thanked the American Government for funding the renovation works.
“Allow me to most sincerely thank the United States Government for the excellent renovation works made to this building through the USAID.
“This newly refurbished customer service centre now offers an excellent environment to do business to both members of staff and the general public in terms of service delivery,” he said.
Mr Lungu observed the Zambia Institutional Reform Programme funded by the United States Government had many facets and that the refurbishment works in question were just one among many others.
Speaking at the same function, USAID-Zambia mission director Susan Brems highlighted the importance of registering one’s particulars, saying governments could over time track the progress of improving the welfare of their citizenry if a country’s vital statistics were available and reliable.
“USAID invested US $4.8 million in this endeavour. Because we believe firmly in the role of Government in attending to the needs of its citizens, as well as the responsibility of citizens to be in good standing with their government, we consider this investment well spent,” she said.
Dr Brems was happy to note that the new customer service centre would reduce the birth registration process from five days in the past to one day, hoping that Government would roll out such a development to other areas as improvements in services enhanced good governance.
DNRPC registrar general Mathews Nyirongo said the design of the customer service centre was in glass and aluminum, which was a demonstration of the Department’s transparency in combating corruption and other malpractices in its operations.
Way to go. Cant wait for the new IDs. Ba mwisa balaloba iylauma. This is a great attribute to experience and focus on good technical mechanisims in managing people.
Beautiful we also need to develop a DNA data base for all Zambians
Are you mad?
Some people say so but not scientifically proved. The DNA data base can be used to solve court cases of rape, child abuse, baby switch(as is the case @ UTH) etc
I love my green reg.
What happened to KENYA with the same Biometric fimofimo? Please what technology is in kamwala for you to say you are working with Kamwala office, marubish eka eka
Technology can be put anywhere my friend,even in the desert,under the sea,
Mark of th beast coming to zambia. Where will the biometric chip be impanted? Satanism at play in the name of technology.
Satana ndiwe. Its pipo like you that have the devil on the their minds and tongues at all times, that give him room to infiltrate into your existence. Why even give the deveil a thought?
Why do you find witchcraft in everything before you understand what it is all about?? Remember that when Henry Ford created the engine-driven carriage he was accused of witchcraft. Are you joining such an archaic bandwagon surely in the 21st Century???? With sources of information all around you? You are a disgrace.
Mr Nkole too much mafuta on the face, I can see my reflection!!
…but what do you think of the Biometric cards?
He is clueless as in what Biometric means,so he goes to attack an innocent man.
It is the NRC that will be “implanted” with a bio-chip, not the card holder. So no 666 on this one.
“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six,” (Rev. 13:18).
This is not a priority Bwana UKWA because there are roads that needs redoing and building to open up alot of places that are unreacheable .The water supply and demand ratios countrywide needs addressing.The electricity generation needs expanding to meet the nation’s requirements. Schools in a sorry state of disrepair etc.The problem ,is you dont want to listen.
The introduction of the biometric chip will lead to implantable microchip on the forehead and hand.The next step is the introduction of the implantable micro chip for the atm card which by the way some banks have already introduced on their cards.The last stage will be to combine all biometric data into one chip which will contain also the bank details.You will be convinced that you don’t need to carry the card to the ATM or even carry a passport as all the information will be inthe implantable micro chip.Initially they will plead with you but after the rise of the anti -christ ,you will be forced to get implanted (MARK OF THE BEAST)!
Prices of goods in shops these days are known by scanning,so scanners will be placed at strategic places like banks and borders.
BE WARNED BRETHLEN!
Somebody can smell money here.
Somebody can smell money here. somebody already cashed in on hologram.
Nkole, economy has picked, this man was almost gone, I hope he manages his kwachaz well this time around. Anyway we need those bio NRC and we won’t need anything else to vote with that card with us
I am very happy that they use Precise Biometrics algorithm. It is actually the best in the world.
MOST OF THE COUNTRIES COUNCIL OFFICES STILL USE PAPER FILES. IN THE MOST RURAL AREAS, AND EVEN IN THE CITIES ELECTRICITY IS ALSO A PROBLEM. SUCH TECHNOLOGY IS BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE BEING IN PLACE, TAKE FOR INSTANCE HOW A TRAIN RELIES INT HE TRAIN TRACKS BEING IN PLACE. BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE COUTRY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATLEY SUPPLIED AND THERE FORE THE REAL BENEFIT OF THIS SYSTEM WILL NEVER BE FULLY REALISED. ITS FUNNY HOW THIGS ALWAYS COME BACK BECAUSE, FOR YEARS THE GOVERNMENTS FAILTO FULLY SET THE INFRASTRUCURE NEEDED IN THE NATION BUT A SIMPLE PROJECT LIKE THIS IS AN EVER PRESENT REMINDER THAT THE BASICS ARE NEEDED BEFORE WE REACH FOR THINGS TO MAKE US LOOK ADVANCED. I AM NOT BEING CYNICAL, ITS JUST A FACT THAT WE CAN NOT IGNORE THE BASIC THINGS.
Is it the biometric company Precise Biometric that they use?
Am personally tired of these changes I hope its not the way of rooting from the poor Zambians. We just had our passports changed.
It’s great. I Think the manufacturer behind is swedish Company named Fingerprint. Must be good.
Most of you here dont know what is going on. this is in preparation for geting all people on the data base in readines for reinforcement of national sunday law where those that wil refuse to worship on sunday wil not buy or sell and wil be persecuted. those that will acept sunday worship enforcement wil receive Gods wrath at the end. In US it has started as inserting chips in ones forehead known as obama care all hiden in in traking peoples medical records for care. its the mark of the beast with the number 666. read bible prophesy. the end of the world is nearly here
US $6million,thats a lot of money.Why cant u use that money to rehabilitate hospitals or give it the poor?
people should just get ready becos the end of the world is at hand ,if you read revelation 13.16- 18 you will get everything there ,to those who will not get the no. on their faces or on their right hand they will not buy or sell, the bible is very clear on that but our people are not reading the bible especialy the revelation, they say it is too scary so what time are they going to ready ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,plllllllllzzzzz ready revelation and the book of Daniel u will get the truth . the book of revelation was written in 95 AD BY john the revelator in the island of PATMOS.
the end of the world is at hand wake up Zambia!!!!