Gov’t begins ID card rollout to ministry’s civil servants
(CNS): The Cayman Islands National ID Programme will begin a pilot rollout on Friday among government workers after Cabinet approved the relevant regulations. The Ministry of Social Development and Innovation (MSDI) and the eGov department will issue the first National ID cards to internal team members and key ministry personnel involved in the project.
The first phase will focus on a smooth operation of the issuance process, allowing the eGov team to fine-tune systems and deal with any issues before widening the rollout. The cards will eventually be available to all residents who opt in to the programme.
The approval of the regulations paves the way for eGov to begin printing the official cards, which will be followed by rigorous testing, system refinements and the launch of a pilot programme to ensure the process is efficient, secure and user-friendly. Once this critical phase is complete, the rollout will continue, first with civil servants, followed by the general public.
The project has been in the works for many years, but the groundwork began under the last PPM administration spearheaded by Joey Hew, who is now the opposition leader. Then André Ebanks moved the project towards the finish line with the rollout of the law. Since he resigned from Cabinet, the final move on this project to get the regulations approved was left in the hands of Kenneth Bryan, who took over Ebanks’ portfolio in November.
Bryan said the National Identity Programme is a crucial step forward in modernising public services and providing residents with a secure and convenient form of identification.
“This initiative is about more than just a card; it represents progress, innovation, and a commitment to enhancing the way Caymanians and residents interact with government services,” Bryan said at the official launch.
“As we embark on this journey, our focus remains on ensuring that the system is seamless, secure, and built with the needs of the people in mind. There is still work to be done, but today, I want to recognise and thank the dedicated teams across government who have worked tirelessly to bring us to this point.”
MSDI Chief Officer Tamara Ebanks, who has been working on the project for several years, said the start was the “result of tireless efforts, strategic planning, and collaboration across government”.
Officials stressed that the National Identity Programme is completely voluntary and will be available to all residents, offering everyone who calls these islands home the flexibility to decide if and when they wish to participate. For those who opt in, the card will provide a range of benefits, including enhanced security, greater convenience, and access to future digital features — all at no cost.
The public should be aware that no applications for the eID are being accepted at this time. Residents are asked to “stay tuned for updates about the programme’s progress and upcoming developments” as the department continues the implementation.
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Category: Government Administration, Politics
I must be hopelessly naive and/or unworldly. I could understand this — I guess — if it were only for Caymanians and Status Holders, maybe for those with Permanent Residency. If the card is for all “residents”, then what is the goal? Are there people living here with no ID whatsoever? How did the get here, if so. If they were born here, and somehow lost all their ID, they can fairly easily get those documents again.
I don’t understand what the new national ID is supposed to accomplish. Will it be different colours for WP holders? Will the data of the recipient be truly vetted? I seriously doubt it. How will the millions spent on this benefit any of us? Not being critical. Asking a genuine question.
Do you know you can have a Cayman passport and not be Caymanian. Do you know that many private sector entities require Caymanians to jump through hoops to prove they are Caymanians? Not status holders because they have certificates of or letters as proof. Do you know that many private sector entities will not accept a Voter’s ID as evidence of being Caymanian?
What are our other forms of Identification?
You do have a point regarding the vetting process as that’s the situation with the VID now.
My hope it the National ID is one that ppl can have from their born or enter the island that carries the same number through their lifetime, and through it CIG processes are made smoother (I may be a dreamer in this regard).
But I have seen the struggles of Caymanians trying to prove they are Caymanians because of our backwards system(s).
I can’t wait to get mine. It is like a master key, in that it stores information that is of mutual interest to many different government departments. Remember asking “Why do I need to bring a copy of my birth certificate to register my child’s birth? It’s a government document; can’t you not just pull it up on your system?” Well, with the card, they can. Less paper, less time — and it’s voluntary.
I got all the ID I need for Cayman, my navel string. In a hole in BT!
Try taking that to WORC
They want you to have this so it will be easier for them to take it away.
So this version is like a credit card for healthcare and pension with the bill going to CIG.
World Economic Forum.
Agenda 2030.
I know who I am.
Do you know who you are?
Peter Ustinov to Russian border control.
I can’t wait to stand in line in a new government office for hours to get an ID that offers absolutely nothing more than a driver’s license does.
Given the license plate track record, we might have this fully rolled out and implemented by 2045.
Another chance Missed to also capture fingerprints, photos etc of all on Work Permits, as many use FAKE Documents.
The Immigration Act already requires all these things. Section 71. We just don’t follow it and then complain about the consequences.
I would take it if it means an end to the repetitive times I have to ‘prove’ I am a Caymanian and get various documents notarized over and over again.
It doesn’t.
It does prove you are Caymanian. This card and what it does has been discussed in great detail.
Drivers license, voter id card and a passports why do we need this? Some government official family member probably making big bank off this
All this hullabaloo over a simple identification card that still is not available to the public!
How long has it taken? And at what cost to date? Who is it being launched to?
That would be a hell no.
Optional and voluntary, so what is the point. No drug dealers, illegals, robbers, women and child molesters etc will not have one…except if cap fits those in Government LOL
‘For those who opt in, the card will provide a range of benefits, including enhanced security, greater convenience, and access to future digital features — all at no cost.’
Huh? Guess it sprays wasp spray! LOL
“Optional and voluntary, so what is the point.”
Remember “Two weeks to flatten the curve”?
I remember that we had essentially no community spread for a year and a half because measures were taking seriously
How about you visit one of the 40 families who lost loved ones here and start making your ridiculous comments to them and see how that turns out for you
I still don’t get the point of this ID. How will it make our lives any easier????
I want a number so I can streamline all sorts of things.
Ideally it would be the sole document you need to present to a government service or agency, rather than the current system of running around with copies of tranches of documents for something as simple as a letter.
Also it is meant to consolidate the information that various ministries / departments have in one place, DVDL has Drivers Licences, Immigration has Passports, General Registry has Birth Certs, Elections office has Voter IDs etc etc, if one ID can link to all that information it should be easier to verify information needed for applications and requests.
And opening bank accounts, accessing pensions, obtaining trade and business licenses would all be multitudes easier…
I mean – its yet to be seen how well these IDs are integrated, but the ID at least has some semblance of reasoning behind it unlike the RFID plates that have never been used for their claims
We shall see if they end up being used to their full potential or not
Lol. If you think CIMA would allow the banks to accept it as sole proof of identity, you are smoking your socks.
Had one of these in late 1990’s, still have it as a souvenir, what purpose..zilch and they stopped it.