While the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) has done a commendable job in monitoring the influx of Venezuelan migrants fleeing the depressed state of their homeland, PPP/C General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said his government will strengthen the nation’s capabilities with the imminent roll out of the electronic national identification cards (E-IDs).
At his press conference on Thursday, the official said the E-ID cards would give authorities an even greater tool to manage the presence of foreigners in a very clear and methodical way.
Jagdeo said, “We are working with a company now from the UAE and Germany to develop a high security National ID Card that will be issued to every Guyanese within a year which they can use when coming in at the airport.”
Jagdeo said citizens will also be able to use the card to open bank accounts.
“They will get their biometrics collected and it would also help with digital banking, and a whole range of other services.”
The Vice President was also keen to note that Venezuelans who are of Guyanese heritage will face no discrimination. He assured them they will be given their ID card or a passport immediately. “That’s the Constitution of Guyana. The PPP can’t change that, APNU can’t change that. That’s in our supreme law.”
As for foreigners or any other person who is non-Guyanese, Jagdeo said the PPP/C administration will ensure these persons have a residency card with the same security features, complete with their biometrics too. “If you don’t have that and you’re living in our country, you would have a hard time opening a bank account.
“In fact, there would be a prohibition on your opening a bank account without that card. Employers here would have to ensure that people have that card,” said the official.
Essentially, Jagdeo said the two cards will allow authorities to track all non-Guyanese and from whence they came. He also noted that the government will put approximately 3000 to 4,000 security cameras across the country, thereby allowing the State to know exactly where persons are at any moment.
