ID Card registration generates strong response

"The first week of the registration saw a good turn out of the employees of the ministries and federal institutions which are scheduled for registration in the second phase of the project. This phase started on the 20th of May 2006 and will last until the end of this year,"

said Dr Saeed Al Dhaheri, Director General of EIDA.

"The initiative taken by the senior officials of these institutions and ministries is highly appreciated as through their example employees are provided with encouragement to register. It further emphasizes their patriotism and the importance they place on this national program," he added.

Al Dhaheri said that the registration procedures are going smoothly at the registration centers, especially since EIDA started an evening registration session from 4:30 - 9:00 pm, which allows for more flexible registration timings and does not force employees to leave their jobs in the morning. The morning period is focusing on registering police and armed forces employees. EIDA has also provided an advanced infrastructure meant to facilitate the registration process, which is supposed to take only eight to 15 minutes.

Privacy issues for women are also taken into consideration, with separate lines and waiting areas provided. Families can be designated a number for their use during the process so each individual is correctly linked to their family members on the registration form. Registration is performed by EIDA employees, who have received extensive training in customer care and interaction.

This process represents the second phase of registration for the ID card and Population Register programs. According to the implementation plan, employees of federal institutions are the first to be registered, followed by local government employees in each of the emirates in which registration centres have been completed. Early next year, registration will be opened for all citizens and expatriates from both the private and public sectors. All registration is expected to be completed within the UAE in three years.
Al Dhaheri noted that by implementing this important program, the UAE aims at enhancing its reputation as being one of the first nations to utilize the most advanced IT and card technology. This will provide a secure environment for nationals and expatriates and enhance their productivity, while preserving their privacy.

Al Dhaheri also said that the ID Card will simplify many procedures used to identify individuals by the public sector, which will result in cost savings for the government. In addition more accurate statistics will be produced that will be used in future economic planning and strengthening national security.
EIDA has been given responsibility for introducing a modern Population Register and ID Card system, which will further the country's efforts towards the provision of a secure environment for citizens and expatriate residents of the UAE. It is designed to keep personal identities secure from fraudulent or unauthorized use, support government planning services, enhance economic growth and place the UAE in the front ranks of the information technology age.