The People’s Democratic Party PDP Lagos State Chapter ably led by Engr Adedeji Doherty has called on all state governments and indeed the Federal Government to tread cautiously on the enforcement of the deadline issued as regards the National Identification Number (NIN) Registration.
Engr Doherty, stated that this is in view of the recent surge in the second wave of Covid19 in the nation.
He implored the Federal Government to urgently look into the possibility of extending the registration deadline by at least six months.
This he said, is with the view of reducing the large number of persons who cluster daily at the various registration centres nationwide.
He also advised the FG to urgently look into the need to totally decentralise the online portal to take care of capturing and payment procedures to enable people register even at business centres.
Engr Doherty reiterated that one of the major responsibilities of government is the protection of lives and properties of its citizens.
Hence the government should do everything within it’s powers to ensure the reduction of people, who gather to beat the NIN registration deadline.
He also advised that the government should also not shut it’s eyes from immigration offices across the nation, where people also gather in large numbers for international passport procedures.
Engr Doherty, also called out to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, advising that he should be in the forefront of the advocacy for an extension of the NIN registration deadline.
This he said, is in view of the fact that Lagos State presently stands at the pinnacle of the standings of Covid19 confirmed cases in the nation.
He reminded the Governor of his recent ban of all forms of gathering, reiterating that NIN registration centres and the immigration office could be “untended superspreaders” of the Covid19 virus.
He further advised the governor on the need to regularly remind all law enforcement agencies within the state on their duty to ensure strict usage of face masks in public places.
Engr Adedeji Doherty however lauded the Nobel and expedient idea of the NIN registration, stating that it would go a long way in enhancing the security architecture of the nation, but he pointed out, that this should not be done at the expense of the lives of any Nigerian, old or young.
