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NIGERIAN Immigration Service ( NIS) has advised passport applicants to provide correct and verifiable details when seeking passports as part of efforts to sensitise further on the enforcement of appointment dates for passport issuance.
This is just as the Service has advised applicants seeking to obtain the passport document to apply ahead of time to avoid unnecessary rush stressing also that there is availability of booklet in Lagos as the service has deployed no fewer than 19000 passport booklets around passport offices in Lagos
Comptroller General Nigeria Immigration Service NIS Idris Jere made this known on Wednesday as he declared a three day workshop on Enforcement of appointment dates for the enhanced E-passport Application process open at the Zonal Headquarters, Zone A, Lagos.
The CGI who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of passport Dupe Anyalechi at the training stressed the importance of the appointment system as well as the challenges applicants might pass through in trying to get their passports.
According to her the training is equally meant to orientate immigration officers and ensure only the right personnel are out there courteously interacting with applicants as it is the Service’s resolve to put it’s best foot forward.
In attendance of the training, Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’ Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Kunle Osisanya was on ground to give pointers on how the system would work to benefit Nigerians and restore sanity to the passport application process
The workshop would last three days and would basically reorientate immigration officers of their role and how they would interact positively with applicants
Mrs Anyalechi while speaking to some journalists said,” This training is at the instance of the CGI and the Honourable Minister of Interior. We need officers in the passport offices to help enforce this in a civil way, and only those that have the responsibility for passports are those admitted in on a daily basis.
” You go show your appointment slip and this will reduce touting and officers can so their jobs without distraction.
According to her the appointment system is so effective that before an applicant’s passport expires he can apply six months before and gradually follow the processes.
“When you get an appointment you look at the time ( date) you can equally pick Passport offices that are not heavy. Instead of ikoyi, you could pick a shagamu as your collection centre where there is less traffic
” Even if the passport is still valid, you can book you appointment six(6) months before expiry and at your convenience you go and get it.
On the availability of booklet, Mrs Anyalechi said the Service deployed a task force to monitor the situation as it had delivered 11, 000 booklets to Alausa and 8000 ar FESTAC to take care of backlog that was on ground.
“… as we speak all those who applied for passport and do not have technical issues, they can pick their passports.
Playing host of the training, ACG Kunle Osisanya explained that when the appointment system was introduced there were a lot of misunderstandings and this gave rise to the need for the training and adequate enforcement of the system.
He charged the officers to inculcate whatever is learned and make the process top notch for the betterment of the country at large.
He said,”Training of trainers program towards enhancing the capacity of our officers. Under the theme enhanced passport service delivery, through the enforcement of the passport appointment system.
” Now this training was called by the CGI and the minister of interior as part of plans to build the capacity of officers to enforce the appointment system.
“You recall earlier, when the appointment system was introduced the officers did not really know what to do and I think that is what this training is all about. It is my hope that in the next three days the participants will pay attention.
“The passport officers will also take good note as they are the ones that would work with the enforcement officers later,” he said.
