The Governor of Lagos, Governor Babatunde Fashola has said that his administration will soon commence the issuance of electronic identity cards with unique identification numbers to all residents of the state.
He said it was aimed at creating a reliable data base of all citizens in the state. Fashola, who spoke, after signing the bill establishing the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency, in his office, added that the identity cards would also be used by residents to access government services and help the state in planning for its citizens.
Apart from the bill, which makes registration compulsory for all residents in the state, the Governor also signed the Heritage Sites Bill into law. The heritage law seeks to preserve and protect historical sites in the state.
Fashola said: “The Lagos Residents Registration bill that has just been signed into law is dear to our state. It will serve as a critical planning tool for the government and help us respond to citizens’ needs more effectively.
“Also, the law will help us deal with the issue of security as residents will be issued an electronic card with unique identification which they will carry for life.”
The governor said the registration was compulsory for all residents irrespective of their state of origins, adding that the government would strictly enforce compliance as soon as it becomes operational.
He said the pilot registration of civil servants had since commenced in the state and that the government decided to start with its workers to test-run the exercise.
He dismissed insinuations in certain quarters that the registration was meant for taxation purpose, saying that it was strictly to create a data base of all citizens for development purposes.
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