Contrary to speculations in some sections of the media, the Bankers’ Committee says it is working in sync with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on the integration of the biometric data to be acquired from bank customers beginning from the 14th of this month.

Fielding questions from journalists today in Abuja, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Director, Corporate Communications, Ugochukwu Okoroafor, and his counterpart in the Banking and Payment Systems, T.O. Fatokun, dispelled claims that the biometric project, which was a collective decision of the Bankers’ Committee, contradicted the directives of the Federal Government on the proliferation of data bases in the country.

According to the CBN directors, the Bankers’ body is working assiduously with the NIMC in order to integrate both systems for the overall good of the country in her quest to rank among the top economies of the world within the current decade.

On the allegation that Dermalog, the company to which the biometric capture contract was awarded, is bankrupt, the duo of Okoroafor and Fatokun reiterated that the German firm was not bankrupt. They explained that the bank that advised the Committee gave a Due Diligence Report, which did not identify any encumbrance in the financials of Dermalog. The CBN officials wondered why such a report could be published on a matter of crucial national importance, even after the reporter had been shown evidence that Dermalog was an active and capable company with proven competence in the relevant area.

They also emphasised that the presence of the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Dorathee Janeteke-Wenzkel, at the contract signing ceremony lent credence and weight to the credibility of the company.

News Express reports that all is now set for the formal launch of the biometric project slated for next week Friday, February 14, which will see the CBN and two branches each from 10 banks go live on the portal.

News Express recalls that at the signing of the agreement on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi noted that the project, which was the culmination of a two-year long screening exercise, was not in any way incompatible with the Federal Government’s National Identity Card project.

•Photo shows CBN Governor Sanusi.

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