$ 9 million price tag for modern ID cards

“It’s a necessary investment”

“The introduction of modern biometric identification cards that include a data chip will cost the Sate about $ 9 million,” said Home Affairs (BIZA) Minister Mike Noersalim at a meeting of the committee that has been tasked with formulating legislation for these modern ID cards. The cost price for each biometric ID card is reportedly $11. Minister Noersalim explained that it would be wrong to deem these cards expensive or cheap and pointed out that one should consider the benefits of the advanced ID cards. The minister also explained that the current ID cards lacks a certain quality standard which made it possible for people to lose their land due to identity theft. “It’s a necessary investment,” said the minister who added that the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to making a decision regarding the investment in the biometric ID cards. Legislators on Wednesday asked which solutions are available for illiterates and other people who can’t put their signature on the ID card. The current ID cards are also faced with this issue. The minister assured the legislators that the issue will be addressed and that this group of vulnerable Surinamese citizens will receive special help when their new ID cards are produced. It is expected that the Biometric ID bill will be presented to parliament in the first week of December. Reports indicate that members of the coalition and the opposition support the plans for biometric ID cards.