The Lagos State Government on Wednesday relaunched the smart residency card as it plans to enrol at least 10 million residents by December this year.
Speaking at the unveiling which was held simultaneously across five locations, the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said it is a new development in the state.
He noted that the transition from an ordinary plastic card to a smart, multi-purpose ID that combines biometric identification with other benefits, such as security, financial services, transportation and access to government services and amenities will help fight insecurity.
The location for the launching includes Ikeja, Lagos Island, Badagry, Ikorodu and Epe.
The governor said, “Today’s relaunch is borne out of the need to embrace change and align with global best practices. We have upgraded the residency card from an ordinary plastic card, for identification purposes only, to a smart, multi-purpose card that combines biometric identification with other functionalities and benefits, that cuts across areas such as security, financial services, mobility and access to government services and amenities.
“Lagos experiences significant levels of daily inbound migration of people seeking economic opportunities and a better life. As a result, our population is rising rapidly, with obvious implications for social services, social infrastructure, and security. It has become imperative for the state government to re-examine strategies aimed at improving the security of lives and properties of the people.
“This smart residency card being launched today will help us to address the issues surrounding the identification and traceability of Lagos residents, and ultimately help inform the Government’s planning and provision of services designed to secure lives and property.
“The card comes with an electronic wallet, which can hold funds and be used for daily transactions to support the cashless agenda of the monetary authorities.”
Sanwo-Olu solicited the cooperation of all residents to register and acquire the card to enjoy the benefits on offer and to enable the Government to plan effectively and allocate a budget for the delivery of good governance against the backdrop of the State’s growing population.