The Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi, has been formally presented with his permanent National Identity Card by the State Coordinator National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr. Felix Amah, after capturing his biometric data.

Speaking after receiving the e-ID card at Government House, Abakaliki, on Thursday, Governor Umahi expressed delight that the card could be used for monetary transactions.

He said that the state “government is going to partner with the NIMC by ensuring that all our people from the age of 16 are fully registered so that they can enjoy the benefits of the card.”

The governor also stated that “we want to join other states that are doing registration of residents from the age of 15 down wards.” He expressed confidence that the commission would be able to furnish the state with relevant data whenever necessary.

In his remarks, Amah urged the government to key into the e-ID card project to reap the economic benefits inherent in it.

He stated that the card could help the government in addressing the ghost workers syndrome in the state civil service.

The NIMC chief assured residents of the state that had enrolled with the commission to be patient as they were working round the clock to ensure that their cards were delivered to them soonest.

Amah appealed to those yet to be captured to make themselves available at the commission’s office for capturing.

In another development, Governor Umahi has called on the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Enugu region, to extend its substations to Oferekpe and Ezzillo axis where the state mega water schemes are situated.

The governor made the appeal while receiving in audience, a TCN team led by the General Manager in the region, Geofrey Nwokoye, at Government House, Abakaliki on Thursday.

Umahi, who pledged to support the transmission company, regretted that the power lines in Oferekpe could not power the water plant.

He said: “We appeal to you if you will assists us.We need substations in Oferekpe and Ezillo,to take care of our water projects.

“Right now, we are using a generating plant to power the project, normal power line cannot carry the plant.”

Governor Umahi disclosed that his administration had initiated plan to create Joint Security Guard comprising the police and civil defence corp, to safeguard transmission facilities in the state against vandals.

Earlier, Nwokoye had given a rundown of TCN’s ongoing projects in Ebonyi State and expressed optimism that they (projects) would boost electricity supply in the state when completed.

•Photo shows Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State receiving his e- ID card from the State Coordinator, National Identity Management Commission, Mr. Felix Amah, in Abakaliki on Thursday.

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