News
National ID Card to be hallmark of TCI E-Government, coming by 2025
By Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, November 29, 2022 – The new National Identification Cards promised for the Turks and Caicos and touted by the government as a cornerstone of e-government will be rolled out by 2025 at the latest, as e-government slowly moves toward implementation.
E Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister made the announcement in a town hall meeting on November 21st.
“That project has gone out to tender already for the design of the national ID so we will be rolling out an ID during this term to replace a number of the ones that you have in your wallet already.”
During the meeting held at the Gus Lightbourne Gym, he confirmed that a team from the UK was in country, supporting the progression toward a more digital government system.
“The UK Consulting team they are on island right now and they are starting to gather the information on preparing the strategic plan, and that strategic plan will include all of the systems that the departments will need. As said before, that process is being managed by the Office of the Premier.”
The Deputy Premier was responding to a question which asked of him an update to the multi-million dollar plan for
“As we know, those cards are recognized internationally and they’re easy to be forged. We’re gonna be rolling out a national ID that will exist in a physical and digital form.”
The government is betting big on the new IDs as a major game changer when it comes to finding irregular migrants and accelerating public services.
“That national ID will be with everyone who is allowed to be a resident in the Turks and Caicos. If you were born in the Turks and Caicos you will get one— if you come here on a work permit you’ll get one so everyone who’s allowed to be in the Turks and Caicos will get one.”
He maintained that the intent is to connect all government services for a fully integrated, comprehensive, secure and seamless system.
Infrastructurally, government is also committed to improvements to support e-Government.
“The other project is the fibre optic cable,” he explained pointing to inconsistencies in connectivity, Saunders added, “the government is going to be expanding that fibre optic from Provo through the family islands; connecting North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos and on the way to Grand Turk.
The budget for the consultation of that project is already approved, said Saunders.
“A consultant will now come down to design the business case and design that project.
Tenders for the design of the National ID is already dispatched and closes on January 11, 2023.