The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has been making efforts to sanitize the process of passport application and bring integrity to the system. However, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has revealed that these efforts are being undermined by a few corrupt officials within the NIS. Aregbesola made this known during the inauguration of the NIS passports front office in Oyo Town on Tuesday evening.
The minister stated that these corrupt officials are responsible for spreading the false rumor that there is a shortage of passport booklets, in order to extort money from applicants. He emphasized that this was not true, and that the NIS has always had enough booklets to meet the demand.
Aregbesola urged Nigerians to report any NIS officials who manipulate applicants for money and to stop patronizing touts. He also highlighted the challenges facing the NIS, such as the dearth of offices for data capturing, and noted that efforts were being made to tackle these challenges.
The inauguration of the new office in Oyo Town is expected to reduce congestion in the Ibadan centre, as about 5,000 applicants waiting for data capturing in Ibadan will be redirected to the new centre in Oyo. Aregbesola also pointed out that there is a limit to the number of applicants any passport office can attend to in a day, hence the need for multiple locations like the one in Oyo.
The NIS Comptroller in Oyo State, Mohammed Umar, stated that the new passport office in Oyo would serve as an additional centre to the Ibadan Centre, which had been serving the people of the state and its environs for decades. He commended the Minister for bringing the centre closer to the people and appreciated the people of the town for their contributions in ensuring the realization of the centre.
The Chairman of the Oyo Metropolitan Development Association, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, thanked the Minister and the Federal Government for the project, and assured them of the support and cooperation of the people of the town towards NIS officials. He also expressed his belief that the centre would reduce the stress experienced by people in obtaining passports and boost the economy of the town.
Aregbesola concluded by stating that obtaining an international passport is the right of all Nigerians, both within and outside the country, and assured them that the NIS would continue to provide passports to all eligible citizens. He also emphasized that the Nigeria passport is one of the best in the world, and that the NIS has been working to improve its services.
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