By Palma Ileye
Nigeria Immigration Service, has unveiled an enhanced E-Passport center in Katsina States.
Speaking yesterday during the unveiling, the Comptroller General of NIS, Idris Jere Isah stated that it was certainly
not unaware of the challenges being experienced by Nigerians in accessing Passport services in recent times.
Jere reassured that with the various efforts being emplaced, such as the unveiling of the enhanced e- Passport Katsina, these challenges will soon give way for the emergence of a more seamless Passport
application and processing in the country.
He stated that effort were on going to ensure more front offices were opened in the State to reduce the traffic saying that soon, the office in Daura will be due for commissioning.
He said that with the roll out of this enhanced travel document,
it was certain that cases of delays in processing Passports
will be taken care of, provided applicants abide strictly with the application guidelines, including ensuring that they
make use of the online application and payment platform as well as synchronizing the data in their passport application with the information in their National Identification Number, NIN.
The CG explained that, “the travel document comes in different categories, one of
which is the ten-year validity passport booklet for adults
only, which saves Nigerians time and cost of frequent
visits to Passport offices. With this document, eligible
applicants can now have access to a variety of options available on the enhanced e-Passport categories.
“The enhanced e-Passport is of polycarbonate technology
and has additional 25 security features over the current
electronic Passport. The polycarbonate data page is
water-resistant. It is the latest Passport technology,
very durable and user-friendly. It is difficult to forge as
the improved security features will make any attempt not
only impossible but also easily noticeable. Nigeria is the
first country in Africa to migrate to this type of Passport.
“May I quickly mention that the enhanced ePassport and
the ordinary electronic Passport are both running currently
until at a convenient time when all our Centres would have
been fully migrated to the former.”
Jere appreciated the
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for the great support availed to the NIS since
assumption of office also expressing gratitude to Mr. President for the approvals that have culminated into all the achievements of the Service.
He assured of effective, seamless service delivery and total commitment in serving the nation.