Nigerian govt launches Immigration Passport Front Office in Edo

The Federal Government has launched an additional Passport Front Office in Auchi, Edo State, as part of efforts for effective service delivery to Nigerians.

At the commissioning, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) office will further enhance passport production.

Aregbesola said except for those travelling outside the country or intend to, most citizens who hold the passport do so for identification purposes.

“The government wants to provide the passport for anyone desirous of it within reasonable time, at affordable price and without any stress whatsoever,” he assured.

The minister promised to conclude negotiations with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) on the usage of its speedy mail service for doorstep delivery home and abroad.

He said Edo has one of the highest passport applications in the country, adding that the waiting period between application and collection may increase due to a surge in demand.

Aregbesola noted that under the current working schedule, fresh application would take six weeks after biometric data registration and three weeks for renewal.

The minister hinted all applicants will henceforth be put on a queue, depending on the centre of their choice, to determine the registration date.

“Regrettably, it might take two months in some highly competitive centres where application is very high. We have no control over this,” he stressed.

Aregbesola hailed the NIS reform which eliminated touts and racketeers, brought about E-border Management, MIDAS, and E-Passport issuance across Control Offices and Diplomatic Missions.

During his visit to the Otaru of Auchi’s Palace, HRH Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh (Ikelebe III) turbaned Aregbesola as the “Rafeeq (Bossom Friend) of Auchi Sacred Kingdom”.