Jagdeo: New ID cards, with security features, to make business transactions easier

The government is exploring the creation of new Guyanese identification (ID) cards that will facilitate easier transactions at government agencies and other entities, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said on Sunday.

These new ID cards would include biometric features such as fingerprints or eye scans.

Jagdeo told a gathering of Region 10 residents that these cards, once introduced, could be used to conduct transactions at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and banks.

While these cards are expected to make transactions easier, the Vice President said they are also part of an increasing focus on improving security in Guyana.

Security concerns were raised by some businesspeople in the region during the outreach activity.

Jagdeo said that these new ID cards were part of a wider “safe country” initiative the government is now pursuing. These cards, he said also, would be only for Guyanese and could be used throughout the country.

Jagdeo said the registration for these new cards will be done separately and is not linked to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The new cards, he said also, would be separate from the existing national ID cards.

The idea of this single ID card for transactions was floated in early 2020; then, it was noted that it would be used to pay taxes, insurance and other transactions in public agencies.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo also assured the gathering that the government would be spending more money to bolster Guyana’s security agencies.

And according to him, the government will be spending more money to introduce technology in Guyana’s security efforts.