27th May, 2011
The Association Of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA) and Skye Bank Plc have jointly proposed a biometric ID card solution for members.
Explaining this during a meeting at the ANCLA National Secretariat, Mr. Olutayo Oni, the Business Development Manager, said the function of the chip enabled the card to serve as a multipurpose facility. He said that it works as ID card, ATM card and voters card and it is designed with features to accommodate the  biodata/biometrics/thumb and finger prints, photo, etc.
He also said the facilities are located in Lagos, adding that providing the services/issuance/replacement for loss of the cards will be done at short notice.
The Skye Bank team which was led by Mr. Okwara Ukaike explained the role of the bank in the project, saying that the bank is involved in the creation of a platform for seamless transaction with the ID card at POS, ATMs and on the web.
He also said that payments for Customs duty, shipping, terminal charges, etc can be made, using the ID Cards on ANLCA’s website while membership dues and status can be constantly monitored.
Ukaike added that one other advantage of the multipurpose ID Card is that one can load his/ her account with Skye Bank and use it on any other platform.
In his response, the national president of ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, heading the team from ANLCA, said ANLCA is interested in the project, especially for our membership register and electioneering purposes, noting that since election is due in the Eastern chapters in September 2011, there is the need to fast track the final details of the design and costing, to enable the NEC of ANLCA take a decision on it at its next meeting.
He solicited the bank’s support in sponsoring ANLCA’s next NEC meeting in Lagos, on which Ukaike promised to prevail on his bank to take advantage of the proposal to have more accounts opened, and brand the brochure and venue.