Jamaica's premier has confirmed that the nation will deploy a complete biometric national ID system by next year.Prime Minister Andrew Holness, revealed the news this week, saying the system will have a transformative effect on Jamaica, providing a comprehensive and secure structure to capture and store personal identity information for citizens and persons resident in the island.Biometric and demographic information will be accessible through databases and computer networks, he added.He said that given all the processes involved in setting up the system, he recognises that the 2018 target date for it to be operational is ambitious, but achievable.Holness said the Government has identified the setting up of NIDS as a strategic priority. What is envisioned is a cradle-to-grave biometric identification system with a unique identification number being used for every Jamaican, with the appropriate anti-fraud features.”This source of identification will be considered as conclusive for the purpose of customer due diligence, not only for banks but for all businesses which require customer identification and verification,” he pointed out.
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