Abuja – The Senate has assured that all personal data provided by bank customers for the Bank Verification Number (BVN) were safe and protected.
Sen. Athan Achonu, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Achonu was reacting to fears being expressed by bank customers that sensitive information provided during the registration may be exposed to ‘’identity thieves’’.
He said that though the committee had just been inaugurated, it would make the safety of customers’ biometrics a priority.
He welcomed the BVN initiative as ‘’good development’’ but said that Nigerians ought to be assured of the safety of personal data.
Achonu said that although there had not been any reported case of fraud through BVN, stakeholders should put measures in place to avert any ugly development.
“ So many issues would be raised with regards to the banking industry; the laws must be strengthened in order to address so many complaints that may arise.
“ We shall take it one step at a time,” he said.
On the high rate of cybercrime and other forms of crimes in the country, Achonu called on the Federal Government to take steps towards providing jobs, particularly for the youth.
“When some state governments owe workers up to seven months salaries, why would such people not resort to kidnapping?
‘’Even these Biafra protesters, if they are gainfully employed, they will not be in the street protesting.
“There is hunger in the land and the government should create infrastructure to encourage private sector to come in.” he said.
The lawmaker urged the Federal Government to have a rethink on the proposed N5, 000 monthly allowance to the unemployed, saying, “it is not the solution.”
He said that the amount that would be given out in a year by the government for the purpose was better converted into building industries that would guarantee permanent employment for the people.

Related News