Opposition senators say the government is rushing to pass the National Identification and Registration Act, 2017.

This as they believe that there was inadequate public input into the formulation of the bill.

The National Identification and Registration Act 2017 will allow for National Identification System (NIDS) where each Jamaican will be assigned a unique 9 digit National Identification Number (NIN).

One Opposition Senator during the debate this morning (Nov 10) stated that the bill is nonsensical, lacks focus, and is in need of the public’s input.

Senator K. D. Knight says he believes the bill is not well thought through, based on the number of amendments that have been made.

One hundred amendments were made in the Lower House, and a twenty-three page list of amendments, was presented in the Senate, this morning.

Senator Knight is calling for a joint select committee to assist with facilitating public discussion on the bill.

Last week, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith stated that the bill needs to be passed today.

This in order for government to be eligible for a $68 m loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

However, Senator Knight says this is not a good enough reason, because according to him not only does the bill need work but getting a loan from the IDB will only be putting the country in additional debt.

He explains that some members of the public have pointed out some discrepancies in the bill, and if the bill was made available for public consultation, this can allow for more amendments to be made.

In the meantime, Senator Pearnel Charles Jnr states that the number of amendments made to the bill should be taken as a positive indicator.

He says consultation has been made into the formulation of the bill.

He says this bill will have more positive than negative effects.

The National Identification and Registration Act 2017 is expected to be passed in the Senate today. It is currently being debated.