28th May, 2023
By Bukola Adetoye
The Nigeria Immigration Service ( NIS) says the service witnessed tremendous re-vitalisation in the last eight years of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration as the President.
Tony Akuneme, the Spokesperson of NIS, stated this while analyzing the tenure of President Buhari at the immigration sector.
According to him, Buhari’s tenure would be remembered for the improvement in the passport collection process, border security and staff welfare, which witnessed the long desired reforms.
“Until his administration, to obtain Nigerian Passport was very cumbersome, as it involved manual application and processing.
“It was very difficult for one to process passport by himself or herself, most people sought services of agents or touts.
“However, in Buhari’s administration, one can use personal phone to apply and make payment.’’
He explained that the passport reform was able to eliminate passport touts, who defrauded a lot of applicants.
“The reform enlightened Nigerians on immigration issues and processes. Acquiring a passport became seamless, with improved security features.’’
Akuneme added the right technologies were deployed to ensure safe borders, improved border patrol as well as safety of personnel in the last eight years of the Buhari-led administration.
“Border management equipment were deployed to 32 air borders and 26 other locations, these technologies are the best and most sophisticated in the world.
“The NIS under the same administration has considered the option of deploying unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) also known as drones, for effective border management, if given approval to.
“Buhari awarded contract for the installation of electronic border surveillance system, to monitor the nation’s land borders, to checkmate illegal migration.
“The Electronic Digital Technology ( EDT) would be deployed across the nation’s border to ensure 24 hours round-the-clock, surveillance of all border lines in the country.
The spokesperson told NAN that before the Buhari-led administration there were 40 passport offices in the country, and now there are 50 offices.
“10 more passport offices have were commissioned to ease passport processes in the country in the last eight years. One in Alimosho, Lagos, making four offices in Lagos now. There is one in Oyo town and another in Ilesha in Osun State. There were three in Abuja now they are five, there is one in Auchi, Minna and Daura, among many others.’’
Speaking on the service, Akuneme said that the promotion examination in the service had been carried out consistently and officers who performed well at their duty posts were also rewarded.
He explained that the reward system had encouraged officers to improve their individual performances.
“Apart from rewards, there are also sanctions for erring officers, to serve as deterrent to others.’’
NAN