General News of Thursday, 26 February 2004

Source: Vanguard

ID Card: Nigeria Promises to Assist Ghana

The Federal Government has promised to assist the Ghanaian Government in the execution of its National Identity Card Project. It is also said to be targeting foreign investment into the country to the tune of $10 billion between this year and next year.

Minister of Internal Affairs, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu who disclosed this while receiving in audience the presidential delegation from Ghana led by Professor Kwaku Appiah-Adu, assured the delegate that the assistance would be in the areas of information and technical expertise.

Dr Ayu in a statement noted that there have been some pitfalls in the implementation of the National Identity Card Project since 1979, and that the project is on course. He said the project will be successfully completed this year and Nigerians issued their cards, stressing "the Federal Government is sorting out the issue with the technical partners on the project, SAGEM S.A. France.

The former Senate President advised the Ghanaian Government to learn from the pitfalls of the Nigerian Government in the implementation of its National Identity Card Project. Leader of the Ghanaian Presidential delegation, Professor Kwaku Appiah-Adu explained that the purpose of their visit was to get vital information on Nigeria's implementation of its National Identity Card Project with a view to implementing theirs.

The minister told the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Engineer Mustapha Bello who paid him a visit that the country is targeting $10 billion foreign investment between this year and next year.

He assured that the Federal government would provide the needed infrastructure and suitable environment for foreign investors in the country.