The Government of Liberia launched a new national identity and registration project that will expose GSM company holders’ SIM cards to vigorous scrutiny.
By Emmanuel Wise Jipoh
Monrovia, Liberia, October 8, 2024—Sim Card holders in Liberia are being vigorously scrutinized as the Government launches a new national identity and registration project.
The new exercise aims to reduce National Security threats and boost digitalization across the country.
It is being coordinated through the National Identification Registry (NIR) and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority under the Sim Card Registration and National Identity Registration Project code-name.
It also aims to regularize SIM card holders’ identities, reduce crimes and internet fraud, and allow subscribers to have verifiable mobile numbers.
During the launch held at the LTA’s headquarters, Menetamba Road, Cooper’s Beach Community, Paynesville, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, National Identification Registry Executive Director Andrew Peters said the MoU is in line with the LTA’s regulation, which clearly requires subscribers of GSM companies in the country to carry verifiable identification numbers.
“Our Objective is to have each Liberian uniquely identified with one identification number, which will help enhance the President’s vision of Digitalization,” Peters said in a news conference on Tuesday.
He notes that SIM cards have become a national security threat as people use them for criminal intent and fraudulent activities, including blackmail. “Our request to the LTA is to make sure holders of SIM card numbers are fully identified with verifiable numbers.”
“SIM cards criminals use are either not registered or have incorrect information. Our mission is to protect people and ensure their security.”
He adds that Liberians will now take their SIM cards to the National Registry to obtain identification and a verifiable number.
Meanwhile, authorities have given Sim cardholders a three-month ultimatum through the NIR and the LTA to obtain identification and verifiable numbers.
Mr. Peters stresses that to enhance the exercise, the authority will vigorously engage in more mobilization and awareness, moving from village to village through a national platform and radio jingles to have subscribers upgrade their SIM cards.
He maintains that “in the absence of three months if you don’t have an Identification and Verifiable Number, the LTA will block your SIM card and compel you to do so.”
Acting Chairperson of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) Abdullah L. Kamara says the MoU concerns SIM card registration and ensuring the Liberia Foundational Database is fully equipped and maintained.
“This MoU will trigger the full identification and registration of 3.5 million Liberians; this is not just about Sim registration. It’s also about ensuring that the foundational database of the Republic of Liberia can be fully equipped with accurate information about citizens”, Kamara says.
He reaffirms the LTA’s commitment to leading Liberia’s digital transformation. Editing by Jonathan Browne
Digital “slavery” is the order of the global world. I pray that pastors in Liberia will preach what the Bible says about end times as it relates to the global identification.