(M.P.M.C. Press Secretary) - Samoa is on her way to having her very own National Identification Card, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has revealed.

The National ID concept has been long in the government’s thinking tank, the Prime Minister was quick to add.

Like the United States Green Card, Samoa is on its way to having a National ID card. 

It’s approved and like the United States green card, the new ID will replace our voters ID and can be used as a Health or Medical ID,  and other services such as Samoa National Provident Fund, a drivers  licence and may even replace a Voters ID during election.

And part of the on-going research is if the ID can be used for immigration purposes or a passport.

“With the changes in technology coupled with the country’s economic growth, the timing is right,” added Tuilaepa. 

“I have been told that samples have been designed and once all pieces of the puzzle are in place, the next step would be implementation.”

The Office of the Statistics and Ministry of Information Technology, according to Tuilaepa is the implementing agencies.

The Prime Minister is optimistic that the National ID card will be in circulation before the end of the current administration.