When it comes to applying for passports, the Federal Government has warned Nigerians to stay away from touts and unprofessional officials, claiming that digitized payment systems will ensure a dependable process.
Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Interior, spoke on Monday in Oyo State at the launch of the improved e-Passport, which includes a polycarbonate data page and other security features.
“The relocation of passport applications and payments to digital platforms is one of the measures. However, we regret to report that some applicants continue to use touts and unethical authorities in the hopes of getting around the system and receiving expedited service.”
“When they were dissatisfied, they came to us to complain. Of course, we have a zero-tolerance policy for corruption and abuse of the legal system. As a result, we will take any such report seriously and take the appropriate disciplinary action,” said Sola Fasure, the minister’s spokesperson.
“But I will implore applicants to stop patronising touts and our officials directly. Follow the process we put in place. Apply for passports and pay online. The only engagement with our staff is the enrollment of your biometrics. Patronising touts and passport office officials doesn’t always end well, but rather serves to defeat our purpose of eliminating corruption and infusing integrity to the passport administration process,” the minister stated.”
In January 2019, Nigeria launched the upgraded e-passport. It has a ten-year validity period, as well as self-tracking and express centers for urgent applications.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has begun issuing passports in its Lagos and London offices, as well as other locations across the country.
Mr Aregbesola stated that the revised deadline for new passport applications and reissues would be rigorously followed.
He pointed out that the template allows for a maximum of six weeks for new passports and three weeks for renewals
He said that the digital passport is the most advanced passport technology available anywhere in the world, with just a few countries possessing it, and that it is the most secure identity document ever created.
“As you have heard from the Minister, we expect that the only time citizens will have contact with our officers is during the biometric capturing. You are to apply and pay only. Soon, we are launching an appointment management system and a tracking system for you to know anywhere you are in the world, the process of your passport application,” the Comptroller General of the NIS, Isah Jere added.
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