In the face of the country’s noble quest to have every Ghanaian registered and provided a National identification card, we woke up to the news that the National Identification Authority [NIA] which is responsible for the task will spend a whopping $1.22 billion for the exercise.
Among other things, the DG of NIA, Prof Ken Attafuah said, the project is hinged on a “design-build-operate-transfer” agreement which will see both government and the private partner make some financial commitments. The private partners share of this burden is $678 million, the government of Ghana component, $531 million,” making up the $1.22billion, for 15 years.
Curiously, this was a project to be executed by the previous regime at $115 million, a cost whichwitnessednegative taggingand outright rejection especially from some IT professionals, Civil Society groups and the opposition New Patriotic Party [NPP] who incidentally are in power but gleefully implementing the over One Thousand percent [1000%] priced project.
For instance, IT Professional, Herman Chinery-Hesse, I recalledindicated on Citi fm that the project at the time couldat most cost $10 million. No explanation bythe Public Affairs Director of NIA, Bertha Dzeble could convince anyone. http://citifmonline.com/2014/09/26/ghanacards-could-cost-just-10-mln-not-115-mln-chinery-hesse/
IMANI Ghana which also was opposed to the cost of the deal had its President, Franklin Cudjoe make much more cogent argument on the matter, that the World Bank has a $97 million fundingavailable for Ghana’s e-TRANSFORM PROJECT – including$29.15 Million to build a national identification system.
Now, under the e-TRANSFORM PROJECT, according to the World Bank website, there are three sub-components: (i) storage, protection, and, opening up of government data; (ii) support for innovation centers for entrepreneurship and job creation; and (iii) institutional capacity building for policy and regulatory institutions.
The second component is support for upgrading national identification system and online verification services. This component will provide support to develop a robust national identification system based on international standards to help prepare Ghana for a modern e-commerce industry, improved e-government services, and alleviate poverty. It has following two sub-components: (a) support for a national electronic identification (e-ID) system; and (b) support for digitization and integration of digital identity and verification systems into user agency operations.
The third component is scale up of applications to improve service delivery in priority sectors.
In effect, e-TRANSFORM PROJECT on completion will help achieve a lot including linking key agencies such asDVLA, Police, Births and Deaths,GRA, Social Welfare Department, EC, Statistical Service, SSNIT, Immigration, etc. viathe national identification registration system.
President John Mahama who initiated the harmonization and integration of statutory Identification cards and a new registration project, according to Franklin Cudjoe, heeded their call to get the NIA authorities to stand down on supporting its implementing partner to secure the $115 million Chinese EXIM facility for the project. https://www.modernghana.com/news/574435/prez-mahama-acts-on-nia-scamimani-ghana.html
Today, indications are that the $97 million World Bank e- TRANSFORM PROJECTis well on course. But assuming the e-TRANSFORM PROJECTcost was factored into the total project cost of $1.2billion, what expenditure justification do we have for $1billion? Not a case of create, loot and share?
I have heard there is no value-for-money audit on the cost of this expensive project.I am also learning the entire NIA project implementation and supervision was yanked from the claws of Ministry of Communications and ensconced between the offices of Vice President and Dr. Anthony AkotoOsei at the Flag Staff House. Why? Your guess is as good as mine.
You recalled, Veep, in the nodding characteristic manner ,launched the mobile money interoperability platform and that was on the back ofthe abrogation of a contract BoG earlier reached with a private entity, SIBTON for a bigger project. Key reasons assigned by him, Deputy Minister George Andah and other key spokespersons for the abrogation were; ICT related contracts/project do not exceed 5 years; that Build, Own, Operate, Transfer [BOOT] projects are a rip off; that GoG will invest in same and own it outright; that $1.2 billion is so dear a cost, etc.
Now, whathas changed that Government will engageexactly in what it rejected only 2 weeks ago?NIA project is a BOOT, costing $1.22 billion, spanning the next 15 years. What has changed? The NPP, as to what definetheirprinciples, beliefs and ideals, will take even the Greek gods centuries to unravel because it appearsthere are no principles – blowing hot and cold as and when it suits them. That partly explain why the NPP is being rocked by one scandal or the other; almost becoming scandal endemic; #ONE DAY, ONE SCANDAL. Well,save itfor another day.
But, as we speak, isn’t the silence enveloping this unreasonable Dr. Bawumia led NIA project too loud and marveling? Notshockingon the part of those who opposed a much less $115m deal but are mute over same that todayis over 1000%, costing a whopping $1.22billion?
“It’s not the fall that kills you; it’s the sudden stop at the end.” – Unknown
SOURCE: Koku MawuliNanegbe
