Call to suspend NID funding after ‘system failed’

Transparency International says it is irresponsible for the State to continue to spend public money on the National Identity (NID) project without completing a full independent audit report.
The anti-corruption NGO said this in response to media reports that National Planning Minister, Richard Maru was disappointed that the K230 million NID registration system was not working.
TIPNG is calling for the suspension of funding to the NID until the findings of the audit committee on NID spending, established in 2018 and headed by Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari, are released for the public, authorities and MPs to examine.
“With the known inefficiencies and also the allegations of gross mismanagement and corruption in NID implementation, it would be unwise for a responsible Government to sign off on further money being allocated to NID,” it said.
“Since Jan 2018, TIPNG has been insisting that the Government audit the NID project.
“The Deputy Prime Minister and former National Planning Minister, Charles Abel, responded with a promise that an independent audit committee would review NID expenditure.
“In late Sep 2018, a team headed by Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari was appointed to investigate the K24 million that allegedly went missing under the watch of the suspended Chief National Statistician Roko Koloma.”