Africa-Press – Liberia. Rep. Briggs-Mensah, who is also the Chairperson of the House Committee on Gender Equity, Child Development, and Social Services, highlighted the frustrations faced by thousands of Liberians.
The continuing delays in the issuance of Liberian Citizens Identification Card coupled with public pronouncement/instructions that said identity are sole recognized for the transactions of banking services and other services has drawn the Plenary of the House of Representatives and has immediately cited the head and key officials of the National Identification Registry (NIR).
Invitation of the NIR bosses was triggered by a communication from Bong County Salala District (Electoral #6) Moima Dabah Briggs-Mensah, amid mounting concerns over persistent delays in the issuance of National Identification Cards, otherwise known as the citizens ID Card.
In her communication, Rep. Briggs-Mensah, who is also the Chairperson of the House Committee on Gender Equity, Child Development, and Social Services, highlighted the frustrations faced by thousands of Liberians.
She pointed out that rural residents, government employees, contractors, and vulnerable groups are unable to access critical financial services due to delays in receiving their national ID cards, despite completing the full registration process, including biometric capture and payment.
The Bong County lawmaker described the situation as an embarrassing national situation that needs to be addressed with urgency as the National ID Card is now a prerequisite for cashing or receiving any government-issued check as a result of Executive Order 126 issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
She argued that the issuance and implementation of this order continue to have unintended consequences and further undermine the use of the Liberian passport – a recognized national and international identification document.
“The Liberian passport, issued under the authority of the Republic, remains a legitimate and internationally accepted ID document and should be exempted from this restriction,” the lawmaker stressed.
“This Executive Order on the NIR is a serious issue, it’s actually a national embarrassment. This is devaluing our passport. The thing here is that most of the designated places for the citizens ID card aren’t working and people are coming to Monrovia just for this ID card. This is more frustrating to our citizens. The NIR officials must come here to explain to us a way further for improvement,” she asserted when given a few minutes to expand on the matter.
Rep. Briggs-Mensah’s communication wants the Legislature to consider in its findings, the issue of the exclusion of the Liberian passport as a valid form of identification for banking and public transactions.
In a startling revelation, NIR Executive Director, Mr. Andrew Peters held a news conference Monday evening in which he disclosed that the citizen ID would be an important document for future voters’ registration, wherein citizens will be allowed to register at the locations where their national ID cards were issued.
On this basis, Bong County District #2 Representative, James Kolleh backed Rep. Briggs-Mensah’s request for the appearance of the NIR officials to provide a better explanation of the matter.
Grand Bassa County District #5 Representative, Thomas Goshua says the latest development raises more questions than answers and as such, he supports the appearance of the NIR officials.
“The latest information we are getting has raised more concerns over why NIR people must be brought here. Already, the process has caused huge embarrassment for the people. Mr. Peter and the team need to be brought here to give clarification. If that was the case as we are hearing, there was a need for education before proceeding any further,” Rep. Goshua asserted.
The House of Representatives is expected to act on the request in the coming days, with many lawmakers expressing support for a thorough review of the NIR’s operations and the broader implications of the Executive Order on citizens’ access to public services.
Following the reading of the communication and subsequent plenary deliberation, a motion was made by Nimba County District #4 Representative, Ernest Manseah for the NIR officials to be invited Thursday, June 19, 2025 before full plenary owing to the urgency of the matter coupled with the latest information.
The motion was then unanimously voted upon with the regular ‘YEAH” vote across the floor of the Lower House of the Liberian Legislature.
Our Legislative reporter says the recent revelation by NIR has serious reactions from lawmakers.
While the denial of other valid national documents has been embarrassing across the country; however, tying the issuance to the voting process, many Liberians believe is the right step in the right direction as it will curtail the damming act of voters trucking.
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