Samsung Network to get multimillion dollar e-NIC project
View(s):Bypassing tender procedures
By Bandula Sirimanna
Samsung Network Inc, the Korean IT company involved in the e-Sri Lanka government network project, is likely to secure another multi-million dollar IT-related contract on producing electronic National Identity Cards (e-NICs) or bio-metric IDs for all citizens in the island, informed sources said.
The Sri Lankan government has given the green light to issue electronic National Identity Cards (e-NICs) for all citizens as a sequel to a proposal submitted by the President as Minister of Defence.
A high powered team of government officials visited South Korea recently for negotiations with Samsung Network Inc, the sources said adding that the Korean company will be awarded the contract, in a similar manner to winning the earlier e-government contract by passing tender procedures.
However, the entire e-government project has become a white elephant after spending US$15 million under the contract signed by the ASSET Network – the Sri Lankan agent for Samsung, they said.
When contacted, the acting Commissioner General of Registration of Persons Department and Additional Secretary – Parliamentary and Civil Affairs of the Defence Ministry J.A. Ranjith told the Business Times that the department is preparing to call expressions of interest from prospective bidders for the project.
He said that proper tender procedures would be followed and denied any move to award the contract to a Korean company.
But the Business Times reliably learns that the ASSET Network, which has high political backing, has already influenced government authorities in securing the contract even after its poor performance in the earlier contract.
Mr Ranjith noted that the new IDs incorporating sophisticated devices required for the current and future needs of national security will be issued through the Department of Registration of Persons.
The e-NIC will conform to the relevant international standards and comprises of security features against tampering, counterfeiting or forging.
The Department hopes to provide a modern computerized identity card at an affordable cost to the citizens.
These e-NICs will be issued free of charge to registered persons during the initial period, the top government official said.
The objective of the e-NIC Project is to issue a more secure, tamper proof modern ID card incorporating reliable and accurate information at an affordable cost, he added.
Samsung (through the local agent), it is learnt, has given an assurance that it will create a centralized citizen registry capable of recording demographic details, digital photographs, digital signatures and fingerprint scans captured at fixed and mobile stations.
In the previous Samsung Network deal, the cabinet on July 6, 2005 approved a $15 million loan from the Korean Import and Export Bank on the condition of offering the project to a Korean company in order to bring all government institutions under a single computer network.
Two Korean companies – Korea Telecom and Samsung — submitted bids for the project. On a government recommendation, Samsung, the highest bidder, was awarded the tender by the cabinet on July 5, 2006, rejecting the lowest bid by Korea Telecom.
In August 2006, a $14.8 million contract was signed between the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), and Samsung agent, ASSET Network.
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