In a bid to tackle the challenge of impersonation experienced in the conduct of its examinations, the National Examination Council has procured 8,000 biometric machines and 20 Toyota Hilux Vans worth over N800 million.
Mr Abubakar Gana, the Acting Registrar NECO, made the disclosure at the commissioning of the equipment in Minna on Friday.
Gana said the equipment were procured to enhance operations in the areas of logistics and overall security of its examination.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that this procurement makes it the first time NECO is deploying biometrics for the conduct of its Senior Secondary Certificate Examination.
In the past, NECO had been making use of scratch cards to register over 51,000 candidates for each of its examinations which had not enabled it to curb malpractices.
According to Gana, the 8,000 biometrics machine cost the council N500 million while the 20 Toyota Hilux gulped N327,800,000.
Each of the vehicles cost N16,390,000 while a unit of the biometric capture machine was bought at N62,500.
Gana also noted that about N2 billion was generated through the sale of scratch cards to candidates and as such, returned same to the Treasury Single Account of the Federal Government.
“The last time the council bought vehicles was in 2013; we have also bought 8,000 units of biometric capture machines, which can verify the identity of candidates, as well as record attendance.
“In the last year, we were able to save money.
“The essence of the biometric is to deal with impersonation to help sanitise the system thereby having quality standards.
“We have been able to utilise our scarce resources and save more to be able to procure the necessary equipment for our operations,” he said.
Dr Abubakar Saddiq, Board Chairman, NECO said that the procurement of the equipment was necessary as the council had in the past been borrowing vehicles to enable it to run its examinations.
Saddiq said, “Last year, we went to Independent National Electoral Commission to beg for vehicles to enable us to run our examinations.
“We learnt from our mistakes and decided that this year, we are going to organise a hitch-free exam.
“Our exam materials will reach their point in time now. Impersonation has become a major problem.
“I monitored exam last year and was not happy because I saw those who did not register but sat for the examination.
“With this improvement, we can now go round with the machine and get to book anyone who impersonates.”