Corrupt practices will not be spared, NIMC warns service providers

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says any front-end partner (FEPs) caught in unwholesome practices would not be spared.

Abisoye Coker-Odusote, NIMC director general, gave the warning on Wednesday at the opening of a four-day training for the first batch of newly revalidated FEP in Abuja.

She also told the service providers to be good ambassadors of the commission.

Coker-Odusote told participants that the revalidation was a management decision to sanitise the enrolment process.

“On assumption of office, we observed countless infractions and unwholesome practices in the NIN enrolment and modification services,” Coker-Odusote said.

“Most of the reports of infraction, upon investigation, were done by some of our front-end partners.

“I am not exonerating NIMC staff completely but as you may be aware, on different occasions, I led sting operations to some of our offices, where some staff were caught red-handed perpetrating unwholesome conducts.

“And don’t forget that I inherited huge debts owed FEPs for over two years. Some of the invoices and claims were questionable, requiring proper auditing.

“The rot in the process and system left me with no option than to take deliberate steps towards sanitising the enrolment process.

“And to this end, I directed that NIN enrolment activities at all FEP centres be suspended temporarily, pending the outcome of a revalidation exercise.

“My decision to direct the revalidation of all FEPs was not targeted at anyone or group. It was a step towards sanitizing the system and processes while ensuring the integrity of data in the country’s identity database.

“It was also one of the steps towards proper auditing of the claims made by some of our FEPs. The revalidation exercise was part of the steps towards ensuring compliance with the highest standards of data security among the FEPs.

“Please be advised that the revalidation exercise is being implemented in phases. This is just the first and not the last.

“Let me use this medium to remind you all that NIN enrolment is free of charge in Nigeria.

“My administration has zero tolerance for corruption. We shall therefore not spare anyone found perpetrating corrupt practices or any other form of infractions.”

Coker-Odusote reiterated her earlier promise to ensure that FEPs with genuine claims are paid whatever they are owed very soon.

Commenting on the development, representatives of the newly revalidated front-end partners described the revalidation process as transparent.

The service providers also urged the commission to strengthen its monitoring processes to ensure that no loopholes are left for exploitation in the enrollment exercise.