Sunday, February 22, 2015

Nigeria: Online Passport Application Has Checked Touting


Mr Sule Wunti, Controller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Bayelsa Command, on Thursday said the introduction of online application and payment process for obtaining the e-passport had eliminated touting.

Wunti, who made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa, said the new procedure had made it difficult for touts to operate.

According to him, prospective passport applicants can apply and pay for their e-passports in the comfort of their homes.

The controller said that touts, who often extorted and defrauded passport applicants, had been eliminated by the online application process which did not require third parties.

"It is now easier for members of the public to apply and pay for their passports and walk into our offices and get their passports issued within 48 hours if they are qualified.

"The process has been streamlined and there is no need to use any tout any longer. We encourage members of the public to come directly to our office and get their passports," Wunti said.

He said that the Bayelsa Command issued 5,522 e-Passports in 2014 and remained committed to meeting the needs of applicants for the Nigerian Passport.

On the forthcoming general elections, the Immigration Controller said that Bayelsa command of the service was collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that aliens did not vote.

He said that the command had sensitised registered migrants to steer clear during the general elections as any breach of the law would attract serious sanctions.

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