Published: June 20, 2025
CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA – What was expected to be a straightforward technical briefing quickly spiraled into a political storm Thursday when the Executive Director of the National Identification Registry (NIR), Andrews Peter, appeared before the House of Representatives to defend the embattled rollout of Liberia’s biometric national ID system.
Struggling under intense scrutiny, Peter failed to convincingly explain the persistent delays, rising costs, and growing public frustration surrounding a program intended to transform identity access across Liberia. The contentious session ended with lawmakers voting to send the matter to four House committees for a full investigation.
“This presentation was floppy,” a visibly frustrated lawmaker said while exiting the chamber. “Our people are suffering while you’re quoting laws you don’t even understand.”
A Program Meant to Empower – Now in Crisis
Launched in 2017, the National Biometric Identification Program was envisioned as a cornerstone of Liberia’s digital transformation. It was designed to provide every citizen with a unique biometric ID number to support national security, service delivery, and modern governance.
Yet, eight years later, the program has become synonymous with dysfunction. Citizens complain of poor access to registration centers, frequent system failures, and a $5 registration fee that many rural and low-income Liberians say they cannot afford.
While President Joseph Boakai’s Executive Order No. 126 recently waived renewal fees for ID holders, new applicants remain subject to the full cost—raising questions about equity and accessibility.
“Our people can’t even reach the registration centers, and when they do, they’re told there are no materials,” said Rep. Ivar K. Jones of Margibi County District #2. “This is not governance—it’s dysfunction.”
A Nervous Director Faces the House
From the onset, Andrews Peter appeared unprepared. As tough questions flowed from across the political aisle, the NIR chief frequently resorted to vague legal references and abstract descriptions of inter-agency data-sharing responsibilities.
Pressed on the registry’s operational capacity, Peter claimed the agency processes 5,000 ID cards per day and could register the entire population within 24 months—provided adequate support is secured.
That estimate drew scorn.
“At 5,000 cards a day, it would take 1,000 days to reach 5 million people,” calculated Rep. Rugie Barry of Montserrado County District #1. “And that’s if nothing goes wrong.”
Peter clarified that the NIR has no control over passport issuance or voter registration and merely provides verified data to other institutions through its central registry.
“Our role is to enroll citizens, manage and secure their data, and make that data legally accessible to relevant agencies,” he said. “How those agencies use the data is up to them.”
But lawmakers were not convinced—and questioned why the registry had failed to engage in donor mobilization, which is permitted under its legal mandate.
“You should have come to us with a plan and a budget,” said Rep. Moima Briggs Mensah of Bong County. “Instead, you ran to the Executive Mansion for an order that does not even address the root problem.”
House Demands Answers, Free IDs
Rep. Ivar Jones ultimately moved that the matter be referred to four House committees—Judiciary; Post & Telecommunications; Elections & Inauguration; and Ways, Means & Finance—for a comprehensive investigation into the NIR’s financial management, capacity, legal responsibilities, and overall performance. His motion was quickly seconded by several lawmakers, including Reps. Thomas Goshua and Alex Sunnyboy Noah.
The committees have been given one week to report their findings and recommendations to plenary.
At the same time, multiple lawmakers called for a six-month waiver on all national ID registration fees, especially in the lead-up to the 2026 general and presidential elections.
“We register people for free to vote. Why not for identification?” Briggs Mensah asked. “Let’s not tie national identity to personal wealth.”
A National ID System in Trouble
The biometric ID system was originally established under the 2011 NIR Act and reinforced by President Boakai’s Executive Order No. 147 in April 2025, making it mandatory for banking, SIM registration, public employment, and voting. Yet, the rollout has been hindered by technical bottlenecks, inadequate public awareness, and widespread distrust.
Liberia is a recipient of funding and support from the World Bank-backed West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI) Project. Despite this support, progress has stalled—drawing sharp criticism.
“We should be miles ahead in building a digital state,” said Rep. Jeremiah Sokan. “Instead, our ID system is locking our people out of opportunity.”
What’s Next for the NIR?
The designated committees are now expected to summon Director Peter along with key officials from the Central Bank of Liberia and other implementing agencies. Lawmakers say they want to review procurement records, funding sources, and see a credible roadmap to universal ID coverage.
For now, Peter’s fate hangs in the balance, but the political fallout is growing.
“This can’t be business as usual,” said Rep. Clarence Banks. “Every Liberian has a right to identification. If NIR can’t deliver that, then we must seriously reconsider how it’s structured.”
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