The Bayelsa State Government has called on its citizens to see obtaining the National Identity Card as a necessity and their basic right as citizens.
The government also expressed concern over their apathy to the collection of the card.
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, made the call on Tuesday in Yenagoa, when he received in his office the management of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, in the state.
He expressed shock that out of the 30 million Nigerians registered so far, only about 200,000 were from Bayelsa, a figure he described as very disturbing.
While blaming the development partly on inadequate public enlightenment, Iworiso-Markson charged the commission to increase its sensitisation programmes to enable more Bayelsans, especially those who had not registered to recognise the importance of the identity card.
The commissioner emphasised that it was a great civic responsibility, and pledged the support of the state government to the commission to assist them carry out aggressive campaign.
“I commend your efforts so far but a lot of work still needs to be done. I am surprised and in fact shocked by the figures you have just reeled out and this is not good at all. This government of His Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson is interested in the scheme and we will collaborate with you.
READ ALSO: Another 257 greener pasture seekers return from Libya
“We will do all we can to ensure our people register and see how we can get to increase the number even to something close to a million before the end of the year,” he said.
According to him, in view of the terrain of the state, deliberate efforts must be made to ensure that public enlightenment programmes reach rural dwellers in far flung communities.
He pointed out that the state was in need of the scheme more than any other state in view of its developmental plan.
The Bayelsa Government spokesman maintained that for the exercise to get the desired result in the state, the commission must work in synergy with various traditional and community leaders.
In his remarks earlier, the State Coordinator of the NIMC, Ibiba Bob-Manuel, told the commissioner of the support the scheme had received from the government since its commencement in the state.
Bob-Manuel who congratulated the commissioner on his recent appointment expressed optimism that the commission would benefit more in its awareness campaigns when the community radio in each of the three senatorial zone as proposed by the government.
The NIMC state coordinator, who said it was in the interest of citizens to register, highlighted the disadvantages of not registering to include; denial from getting International Passport, Drivers License, scholarship among others.
