IMMIGRATION

Nigeria out with new visa policy soon

By Soji-Eze Fagbemi

Minister of Labour and Productivity and supervising Minister of Interior, Chief Emeka Wogu declared this after a closed-door meeting with the comptrollers general of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Prisons (NP) and the Federal Fire Service, in Abuja over the events of the last few weeks, especially the threat to internal security of the country.

The minister met with the Comptroller General of the NIS, Mrs. Rose Uzoma; the Comptroller General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin; the Comptroller of General of Prisons, Mr. Olusola Ogundipe; and the Comptroller General of Federal Fire Service, Mr. Olusegun Okebiorun, in his first official assignment shortly after he took over in the Ministry of Interior. 

The minister, who was responding to the problems in the ministry as enunciated by the comptrollers general, said the issue of expatriate quotas would also be addressed as part of Federal Government's efforts to create jobs for Nigerians. 

He also advised prison inmates who escaped during the recent post-election violence to return, otherwise, relevant security agencies would come after them and effect their arrest again.

Chief Wogu, who had signed the memorandum on E-passport to ensure that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the contact for the supply of the documents, said the Federal Government would support the efforts of NIS to come out with the new visa policy. 

He also said the new Immigration Act which was already before the National Assembly would be pursued as soon as the legislators resumed from their recess in order to ensure that it was passed before the end of the present legislative term. 

"The Federal Government will support the new visa policy and ensure that it is achieved. But I asked for cooperation from you, the comptrollers general, the bureaucracy and the staff in the ministry and its parastatals. 

"On the Immigration Act, there is still the National Assembly in place and we shall ensure that as soon as they resume, the bill is given serious consideration for its passage, because if it is not done now, we will have to start afresh," the minister said. 

The Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs. Uzoma, had earlier told the minister during the hand-over ceremony at the Ministry of Interior that it was very necessary for Nigeria to review its visa policy because the country was still implementing the visa policy that served the British colonial masters' purpose. 

Mrs. Uzoma, who said the new policy, which was already in place, but needed approval, would address all the problems associated with visa processing and procurement. 

She also added that the present Immigration Act was archaic as it was still fashioned after that of the colonial masters, adding that the service had already come up with a proposal for the new Immigration Act which was before the National Assembly. 

The minister, Wogu, who expressed concern over the internal security in the country, especially aftermath the last elections, said the government would pursue strict border control. 

"We need to pursue border control. After the meeting, we need to know how to deal with the problem of border control, especially during the next elections. Within my short period here, I will want to pursue strict border control within the limit of the law. 

"Whatever good programme that is on ground and was being pursue by my predecessor, will go on and get sustained. But we must have a clear-cut programme; we must prioritise the issue of our borders; it should be addressed. I was sent here by President Goodluck Jonathan and I won't go beyond the programme of his administration. 

"Those who ran away from prisons are also advised to return. If they don't, the police, civil defence and the other relevant security agencies will be after them and pursue them. They will be brought back. 

"It is dis-heartening that Nigerians are killing Nigerians, when there is an avenue to resolve the issue. We are in a democracy, and about 27 candidates contested election, which is already adjudged free and fare, but it is unbelievable that this thing happened. If it is being encouraged by some Nigerians, it should be discouraged," Wogu said.

source: Nigerian Tribune