Visa on arrival not compromising national security ― NIS boss

THE Nigeria Immigration Service has insisted that the visa on arrival policy introduced to enhance ease of doing business in Nigeria has not in any way compromised national security.

Comptroller-General of NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede, who said this on Wednesday in Abuja, said he was delighted that VOA has constituted 20 per cent of arrivals, which he said was a good development.

He also dismissed claims that the Federal Government is owing to a Malaysian company billions of naira for alleged passport booklets production contract. He maintained that passport booklets production is private-sector financed and that the Nigerian government is not owning anybody for the contract.

While explaining that the current scarcity of the travel document was temporary and caused by foreign exchange challenge, Babandede explained that Iris Smart Technology Nigeria Limited who won the contract for the supply of the passport booklets and maintenance is purely a Nigerian company, stressing that the Immigration Service has no business with a Malaysian company as reported in a section of the media.

The Immigration boss noted that Nigeria Visa Policy 2020 to cater for requirements and need of migrants intending to travel to Nigeria, was to liberalize the Visa issuance and process, ease doing business in Nigeria, encourage Foreign Direct Investments and make Nigeria the most preferred destination and hospitality hub.

He said the Visa on Arrival was originally conceived for business purpose and investment, but later extended to others during the COVID-19 lockdown to facilitate movements for essential service workers.

He said the same with Visa on Arrival for Africans and holders of African Union (AU) Passports to come to Nigeria and take their visas at the Point of Entry, Airport specifically, not Land or Sea Borders.

He frowned at the issue of fake marriages between foreigners and Nigerian ladies carried out to evade payment for Resident Permit, saying this has been on the increase from the year 2020 and that the policy would soon be reviewed.

Speaking further on passport scarcity, he said: “I must emphasize that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that
production of Nigerian Passport is domesticated.

“We as the operational arm of government have complied by making a proposal to ease the transition and to avoid a drought leading to shortage.

“A lot of Nigerians abroad especially in places like France, UK, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia and countries that have put stringent measures in place including locking down till date, Nigerians in those countries and others
experience hardship in renewing their Passports and could not obtain a new one both to continue staying with a valid Passport and for travelling back to Nigeria.

“We are working tirelessly with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to resolve the technical issues that are hampering the smooth transition,” he said.

He explained that as some of the affected countries are under lockdown, the Nigerian missions would have to also comply by closing down.

Babandede said: “With the closure of some Missions due to COVID-19 compliant policy of some countries, Nigerians in such countries where Missions are closed and are holding expired Passports can board aircraft after applying to the CGI for approval and clearance received they can proceed to the Airport for their onward journey o Nigeria.

“The Minister of Interior has magnanimously approved for the purpose of mitigating the problem opening of three (3) front Offices at three (3) International Airports namely: Mallam Animu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja and Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos

“This is to attend to the passport need of Nigerians on arrival with an expired passport before entry into the country,” he said.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state…Visa on arrival not compromising  Visa on arrival not compromising

Selfies, video calls and Chinese documentaries: The things you’ll meet onboard Lagos-Ibadan train

The Lagos-Ibadan railway was inaugurated recently for a full paid operation by the Nigerian Railway Corporation after about a year of free test-run. Our reporter joined the train to and fro Lagos from Ibadan and tells his experience in this report…Visa on arrival not compromising  Visa on arrival not compromising