By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
NATIONAL
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has sent out a strict warning to the public regarding the use of national IDs as collateral for borrowing money. Quoting section 69 of the Registration of Persons Act, 2015, NIRA stated that the national identification card is the property of the government and it is illegal for anyone to use it as security for loans.
NIRA cautioned citizens to stop using their national IDs as a guarantee for borrowing money, as this practice is against the law. In addition, money lenders who held on to individuals’ identification cards as collateral have also been warned to stop immediately.
This action violates the rights of the cardholders, and anyone caught doing so could face legal action.
NIRA urged the public to report any person or institution retaining individuals’ national identification cards as security or collateral to the nearest NIRA office.
This initiative by NIRA has been welcomed by the public, who have long raised concerns about the abuse of national IDs by individuals and moneylenders. It is hoped that this warning by NIRA will serve to protect citizens’ identity documents and mitigate fraudulent activities involving the national identification cards.
Citizens have been urged to continue to safeguard their national identification cards and to report any suspicious activity concerning the use of these crucial documents. The government remains committed to ensuring the confidentiality and safety of its citizens’ personal identification materials.
