Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has disclosed that a total of 1,350,000 passport booklets were printed and distributed by the Federal Government in 2021, stressing that the development almost doubled the output achieved in 2020.
The minister disclosed this at a Lagos Business School Forum with the theme, “Nigeria in Challenging Times: The Contributions of the Ministry of Interior and Opportunities for Private Sector Participation,”.
Tribune Online gathered that the virtual event was part of LBS public sector engagement designed to promote more public-private sector dialogue and partnership to enhance Nigeria’s inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development.
Providing an update on passports issued to date, Aregbesola said, “1,350,000 passports booklets were produced, and distributed worldwide as of December 31st 2021, against 764,293 booklets in 2020.” The minister said there is increasing demand for passports, which is mounting pressure on the processing structure and resources.
He said the ministry is aware of challenges faced by applicants and is working tirelessly to alleviate them. He stated that the ongoing passport reforms across the different passport offices in the federation will be a continuous process until all Nigerians can seamlessly and effortlessly apply and get their passports.
“The current experience will soon be a thing of the past. We are working very hard to reform the passport application and issuance process. This reform is going to be a continuous process. We want to significantly enhance the integrity of the Nigerian Passport by ensuring that non-Nigerians are not able to obtain it. We also want to bring passport service closer to the people as much as possible and eliminate touting and corruption in the process,” he added.
IN CASE YOU MISSED THESE FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
- ‘Officials initially offered to help but when the number of able-bodied citizens at the centre increased, they left us unattended to’
- Why Ogun Tops List Of ‘Yahoo Boys’ In Nigeria ― Governor Abiodun
- Police, Amotekun after criminals on Lagos-Ibadan expressway
- Suspected cannibal pays N500,000 for boy’s human organs, says ‘that’s my favourite meal, especially the throat’
- Court awards Nnamdi Kanu N1 billion over invasion of his home by military, asks FG to apologise
He noted that the ministry is working to identify unscrupulous elements within the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and has initiated a whistleblowing and mystery shopping process to catch such officers unawares.
He also stated that the Nigeria Visa Policy launched in 2020 has expanded the visa category from 6 to 79 and simplified the application process. He said the policy is leading to the adoption of best practices and ensuring that Visas are granted to fit the main purpose of travel.
Speaking on recent attacks on correctional facilities in the country, he said the ministry is doing everything possible to arrest escapees and will soon launch a task force for this purpose, adding, “To make this initiative more comprehensive, broad and global, we shall soon inaugurate a ministerial taskforce specifically for the rearrest of escapees.”
“The composition of the taskforce is inter-ministerial, inter-security agencies and include Civil Society Organisations, Police-Community Relations Organisations and other stakeholders that can help track and rearrest the escapees and their collaborators,” he said. He noted that in the light of the attacks, all correctional centres have been “designated as critical national assets”.
As part of the effort to decongest correctional facilities and prepare inmates for reintegration into society, Aregbesola said the ministry has commenced construction of modern, 3,000 capacity custodial centres in each of the six geopolitical zones.
“We have commenced the construction of 3,000 modern capacity custodial centres in each of the 6 geopolitical zones. This is a total of 18,000 capacity. Construction is almost at completion stages: 85% completion in Janguza, Kano State; 65% in Karshi, FCT and 40% in Bori, Rivers State. This would decongest the custodial centres, ensure good living conditions for inmates, and support rehabilitate NCoS Act 2019 with the goal of rehabilitating, reformation, and reintegration of inmates,” he said.
The minister also said the ministry is open to suggestions, collaboration and ideas from private organisations on how to make Nigerian correctional centres more secure and conducive for inmates. He said: “Custodial farm centres are being reactivated for mass agricultural production. We have entered a PPP arrangement for the establishment of N5 billion shoes and garment-making factories in Kano and Abia States respectively. There are other initiatives in progress to expose inmates to training in auto repair, electronics, etc through PPP arrangements. We still need the capacity to turn our custodial centres to skill acquisition and enterprise centres. We are open to partnership with the private sector in these areas.”
He noted that while opportunities are open for private support and collaboration, the laws of the country do not allow for privatisation of the running of correctional facilities.
and then