Budget Standing Committee of Parliament Pledges Support to NIDA. The Budget Standing Committee of Parliament has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the National Identification Authority (NIDA) in fulfilling its mandate of registering and identifying individuals in Tanzania.
This assurance aims to enhance the effectiveness of NIDA’s operations, ensuring that all eligible citizens are registered and issued with National Identification Cards.
Committee’s Visit to NIDA
During a recent visit to NIDA’s offices, Hon. Daniel Sillo (MP), Chairperson of the Budget Standing Committee, praised the authority for its dedication and patriotism in managing the registration and identification process. The committee observed firsthand how data is collected, processed, and finalized for the issuance of National Identification Cards to applicants.
“We have witnessed the excellent work you are doing with great patriotism. As a committee, we promise to give you full support to ensure you fulfill your duties comprehensively,” said Hon. Sillo.
Achievements and Progress of NIDA
Since its inception in 2012, NIDA has achieved significant milestones:
- Population Coverage: NIDA has registered and identified over 23 million Tanzanians, representing 77.2% of the 31,020,943 people aged 18 and above, according to the 2022 Population and Housing Census.
- NIN Generation: Over 20.1 million National Identification Numbers (NINs) have been generated, covering 84% of those registered.
- Card Distribution: More than 12 million National Identification Cards have been printed, with 10 million distributed to citizens.
Government’s Role in Supporting NIDA
The sixth-phase government, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has played a pivotal role in enabling NIDA to continue its operations.
By allocating sufficient budgetary support, the government has facilitated:
- Procurement of Raw Materials: NIDA has received blank ID cards for printing National Identification Cards, ensuring uninterrupted services.
- System Development: Internal experts at NIDA have successfully developed and deployed 23 out of 42 planned systems, saving the government over TZS 4 billion. This achievement is attributed to specialized training provided to the experts.
Expanded Use of Identification Data
NIDA’s systems have become a critical resource for public and private entities. To date:
- Integration with Stakeholders: NIDA has integrated its data with 75 stakeholders, including 34 government institutions and 41 private organizations.
- Revenue Collection: These integrations have enabled the collection of over TZS 4 billion in revenue as of June 2023.
Legislative Improvements
The government has amended the Registration and Identification of Persons Regulations of 2014 to:
- Remove time limitations on ID validity for citizens, ensuring continuous access to social and economic services.
- Improve information-sharing services, registration of settlers, and registration of Tanzanians living abroad (Diaspora).
Challenges and Future Plans
Despite its successes, NIDA faces challenges in ensuring timely service delivery. To address this, the government has committed to supplying more blank ID cards in the next fiscal year to ensure all eligible citizens receive their National Identification Cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main role of NIDA?
NIDA is responsible for registering and identifying Tanzanians and issuing National Identification Numbers (NINs) and National Identification Cards.
- How many Tanzanians have been registered by NIDA?
As of 2023, NIDA has registered over 23 million Tanzanians, equivalent to 77.2% of the adult population.
- How does NIDA support government revenue collection?
NIDA’s integration with stakeholders has enabled the authority to collect over TZS 4 billion in revenue through its data systems.
- What improvements has the government made to NIDA’s operations?
The government has amended regulations to extend ID validity and improve data-sharing services, among other measures.
Conclusion
The support from the Budget Standing Committee of Parliament is a significant step in enhancing NIDA’s ability to fulfill its mandate. Through collaborative efforts, legislative improvements, and increased funding, NIDA is set to overcome challenges and ensure that all eligible Tanzanians are registered and provided with National Identification Cards.
These efforts underscore the importance of NIDA’s role in facilitating access to essential social and economic services for Tanzanians.