Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, and his committee members conducted an extensive session yesterday, engaging in rigorous discussions with Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola, the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, and her team. The focus of the hearing was to delve into the challenges confronting the agency and explore potential solutions.
The Acting Comptroller General of Immigration highlighted various challenges facing the agency. These challenges hinder the smooth operation and efficiency of their duties. Among the issues discussed were illegal immigration into the country, delays in passport delivery, both domestically and overseas, and the inadequate remuneration of NIS personnel, which should be on par with other law enforcement agencies but unfortunately isn’t.
This pay disparity leads to demoralization among the staff. Furthermore, the slow pace of promotions within the agency contributes to staff demoralization and breeds indiscipline. There’s a need to address the issue of stagnation in the agency.
Additionally, the deplorable state of their offices and accommodations was raised, as well as the need for logistics to aid border management, including land, air, and sea. Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola emphasized the need for interconnectivity and internet services to modernize their operations.
She also mentioned the need for resources, such as boats for sea patrols, vehicles for land operations, and drones for aerial surveillance. Training institutions require funding to address dilapidated structures, and capacity building is essential to ensure well-trained personnel.
She also highlighted the significant challenges faced by Nigerians living in the United Kingdom and Canada. She expressed the need for additional immigration offices in these countries to improve the process of securing passports. With only one immigration office serving the entire UK and Canada, the burden on Nigerians living there is substantial, leading to delays and inconvenience.
In response, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole expressed his view that it would be more equitable for Nigeria to establish multiple immigration offices in countries overseas where a large Nigerian population resides. This strategic move would not only alleviate the pressure on the existing office but also streamline and expedite the passport application process for Nigerians living abroad.
The committee members passionately discussed these issues with the aim of finding solutions. Their commitment reflects their concern for the state of the agencies involved. Notably, the committee members commended the agency and the new Minister of Interior for their significant achievements in clearing over 20,000 passports.
The announcement made by the Acting Comptroller General that Nigerians can anticipate their passports being processed within two weeks is undoubtedly uplifting news. This development marks a significant step toward enhancing the efficiency and service delivery of the Nigerian Immigration Service.
Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah is the Chairman and CEO of Bush Radio Academy.
Source iReporteronline.
