Controversy trails big money biometric ID card contract in DR Congo
Published: 19/Jun/2024
Source: Biometric Update
By Ayang Macdonald
A mega money contract for the production of biometric national ID cards in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is facing the risk of being revoked following allegations of irregularities.
The contract, worth $697 million, is reportedly under probe by the country’s Inspectorate General of Finance (IDF) and it looks like authorities want it cancelled, according to a report by Africa Intelligence.
There had been a jostle for the contract by some major names in the identity solutions industry before it was finally awarded.
Awarded to a consortium made up of local firm Afritech and reportedly French identity giant Idemia, the ID card contract has since come under the spyglass, and there are indications the deal which was sealed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement may be renegotiated.
The publication alludes to a letter dated June 12 sent by the Unité de Conseil & de Coordination du Partenariat Public Privé (UC-PPP) – the government body overseeing PPP projects – to the Office Nationale de l’Identification de la Population (ONIP) – the government agency in charge of the ID contract.
Per Africa Intelligence, the head of the UC-PPP in the letter reminds his counterpart of ONIP of the irregularities that the IGF has reportedly spotted in the award of the ID cards contract. He urged the ONIP boss to take every necessary action in line with the contractual provisions of the law.
Read further: https://www.biometricupdate.com/202406/controversy-trails-big-money-biometric-id-card-contract-in-dr-congo