The government of Oyo State is implementing a residents registration program tied to government services and offerings.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT and e-governance, Mr. Bayo Akande, revealed this during an interview with the Nigerian Tribune.
He emphasised that possession of the state identity card and registration in the government database would soon become mandatory for residents to access government services and offerings.
Since the program’s launch in 2021, approximately 500,000 residents have been registered.
Akande stated that by the second quarter of this year, possessing the residents’ registration card would be a prerequisite for benefiting from state government services, including palliatives, education, and health services.
The importance of residents’ registration for planning and security purposes was highlighted by Akande.
Despite challenges leading to fewer registration points in recent months, efforts have been made to increase registration points, particularly at local government secretariats.
Special attention has also been given to registering commercial motorcyclists, known as Okada riders.
Akande reported that about 60,000 Okada riders have been registered in the past few months, with the deadline extended to allow more riders to register.
Additionally, a bill is being drafted to make it mandatory for commercial motorcyclists to wear reflective jackets while working.
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He explained, “These data sets will be used to make governance much easier and to make informed decisions. After a cut-off date, many government initiatives will be tied to this registration.”
For instance, beneficiaries of free education and health palliatives will need to be registered.
The ultimate goal is to provide residents with a state identity card, incorporating health records and serving as the primary form of identification for transportation and security purposes.
Despite the apparent slowdown, Akande clarified that the focus on registering Okada riders contributed to the perceived decrease in registration pace.
However, efforts are ongoing to accelerate registration, ensuring compliance with future regulations for commercial motorcyclists in Oyo State.