The State House of Assembly has urged the Imo State Government to make Social Security Identity Number mandatory for all its citizens and residents in the State.
Moving the motion, the member representing Owerri North state constituency, Hon. Kelechi Ofurum explained that the Imo State Social Security Identity Number (ISSSIN) is a unique identification number which residents and indigenes of the State should obtain and utilize for every of their transaction with the State Government.
He pointed out that it would help in creating a database of residents and citizens in the state, which would ensure a more inclusive government, and for everyone in the State to enjoy more dividends of democracy.
According to Ofurum, “the awareness and sensitization for the last concluded exercise was poor. Data centres for the state have become a problem, so there is a need to capture the database of the rural areas. In overseas, you can’t do anything, including bank transactions without the Social Security Identity Number.
“It will also help the state government to know the population of residents in the state, and assist in the distribution of palliatives across the state”.
The motion, which was seconded by the Chief Whip and member representing Oru-East state constituency, Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri, was co-sponsored by Hon. Benneth Ebonine (Njaba state constituency), Hon. Ugochukwu Obodo (Owerri Municipal state constituency), Hon. Henry Agbasonu (Ezinihitte Mbaise state constituency) and Hon. Bernard Ozoemenam (Ehime Mbano state constituency).
Supporting the motion, a member representing Nkwerre state constituency, Hon. Barrister Sir Chisom Ojukwu (Oyinatumba) said it was timely and that every Imo citizen should endeavour to obtain and use it for every of their transaction with the government.
For the Majority Leader and member representing Owerri West state constituency, Hon, Kanayo Onyemaechi emphasised the importance of social security identity number in society, maintaining that it would help the State Government checkmate rising crime in the state, and to know the statistics of every activity in our various local government areas, and also help the Police and Department of State Service to fight insecurity in the State.
The motion which was seconded by the Chief Whip and member representing Oru-East state constituency, Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri was co-sponsored by Hon. Benneth Ebonine (Njaba state constituency), Hon. Ugochukwu Obodo (Owerri Municipal state constituency), Hon. Henry Agbasonu (Ezinihitte Mbaise state constituency) and Hon. Bernard Ozoemenam (Ehime Mbano state constituency).
