The Federal Government yesterday unveiled technologically driven reforms for international passport issuance for its citizens by setting a 96 hours processing timeline , insisting that the production of the travel document should not be seen as a privilege, but a fundamental right of its nationals.
Besides the revolutionary timeline, the government said, it will effective February 2024 start the implementation of Electronic Gates at the Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu international airports to facilitate the entrance of Nigerians into the country without submitting themselves to clearance relying only on Advanced Passenger Information for their pre- profiling as it is practiced in other countries.
But, the government put a caveat : ” only persons of interest ” – will have to go through the route of bio-metric checking and counter processing.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji- Ojo disclosed this during the handing over and grand opening of the Remodeled Clearance Area of the E- Arival Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport ( MMIA), Lagos.
The Minister said working with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, the government will spare no effort to scale up technology in assisting Nigerians get their travel documents with ease , saying the era of backlog of passports at Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), offices is now a thing of the past.
He said effective this month, the only reason Nigerians may have to visit NIS Passport Offices is to undergo bio- metric fingerprints.
Ojo said the Tinubu administration is not resting on its oars to ensure Nigerians get a fair deal, in the way and manner they are treated trying to get their travel documents.
He said women, who desire to effect a change of their names on account of marriage; do not need henceforth to travel thousands of kilometres and subject themselves to avoidable hassles going to Abuja to achieve such an objective.
The minister said as part of the reforms in the Renewed Hope Agenda Of the Tinubu administration, such Nigerians will henceforth only make an application and submit supporting documents , which will be investigated by personnel of NIS and approval sent to the nearest Immigration office for them to collect their international passport.
While lauding the efforts of the NIS in deepening partnership to achieve the improved airport facilitation equipment, Ojo said the Tinubu administration will continue to extend its hands to the private sector to assist in the development/ improvement of infrastructure that will improve travel experience and put Nigeria in the league of global players.
Significantly, the Minister urged Immigration personnel to be alive to their responsibilities, urging them to go beyond issuance of travel documents and visas to consolidate efforts to protect the nation’s borders.
As the lead agency in charge of border management and security , Ojo urged NIS personnel to ramp up efforts in tackling porous borders.
Speaking at the Zone A Headquarters of the NIS, in Ikeja GRA, where he commissioned the Remodeled Gate/Guard House and other facilities, the minister lauded personnel of the Service who have equipped him with knowledge to discharge his duties.
Ojo praised the personnel for their gallantry in discharging their border management responsibilities.
He expressed the gratitude of the Federal Government to private sector players, who have assisted with facilities, saying the government will continue to deepen such ties in the spirit of collaboration for national development.
He charged NIS personnel not to lower the bar in the task to foster improved internal security , which he said remains central to the government as it positions Nigeria to take its rightful place in the global arena.
He charged the NIS to pursue an aggressive maintenance policy of the assets / critical infrastructure placed in its hands, urging them to treat them with affection.
The Minister of Interior challenged the Service to put in place a mechanism to address the lack of uniformity in the clothing used as uniforms.
Inability to address the challenge, he said could encourage impersonation , while urging NIS personnel as image makers at the country’s numerous borders to treat Nigerians and foreigners with respect.
While commending the efforts of partners that assisted in improving infrastructure at the Lagos Airport and Zone A Headquarters, newly confirmed Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI) of NIS, Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju said collaboration will improve efficiency in service delivery.
Coordinator of Zone A Headquarters , Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACG), Wale Sadiq urged the CGI to provide operational facilities, including vehicles for the unit.
He enumerated the strides thus far achieved in the Zone A Headquarters, to include regular human capacity development programmes.
On her part, Comptroller of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Adeola Adesokan said the remodeled facility at the Lagos Airport will not only elevate the entire travel experience , by improving efficiency, bringing about faster processing time and seamless clearance, it will eliminate long queues for arriving passengers
She said : ” We now have dedicated clearance counters for persons with reduced mobility, senior citizens, members of the diplomatic corp.
THE NATION
