National ID Bill aims to simplify services, integrate systems nationwide

Fiji’s proposed National Identification (ID) aims to simplify customer verification and integrate services nationwide.

This was stressed during a public consultation on the Draft National ID Bill at the Civic Centre in Nadi yesterday, where government and private sector leaders discussed how the system could extend beyond government and banking services.

Vodafone Fiji Head of Enterprise Development Varun Kumar questioned how the platform would support telecommunications companies.

“How can telecoms like Vodafone use this as part of know your customer (KYC) as an alternative option, reducing queues and costs?” Mr Kumar asked.

Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) Deputy Governor Esala Masitabua said the central bank supported the initiative because of its supervisory role within the financial system.

“One of the reasons why the RBF is coming alongside Government is because we are a supervisor of the financial system,” he said.

Mr Masitabua said the National ID could reduce the need for multiple identification requirements, such as proof of address, photo identification and birth certificates.

“We feel that this will help, but it is a matter of engaging further with banks on how they would like the system to assist,” he said, adding that KYC requirements also cover the source of funds and other compliance measures.

RBF project manager for National ID Praneel Prasad said 19 government ministries and statutory bodies were part of working groups to ensure the ID links seamlessly across systems.

“The whole purpose is to make sure that when this ID is introduced, it is linked to their systems so that if you present this ID to any of those government ministries or statutory bodies, it is recognisable,” Mr Prasad said.

He confirmed organisations and banks would be mandated to recognise the ID for KYC purposes.

Mr Prasad added that a mobile app would allow users to update addresses, while legal name changes would still require approval through the relevant authorities.