Newly appointed Comptroller General of Immigration, CGI, Martns Kure Abeshi, has announced a series of reforms, including border security and engagement with the public through a “Citizen Inclusive Immigration Service”.
Abeshi made this known at inaugural meeting with heads of commands and formations at the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, headquarters in Abuja, according to a statement issued on Thursday by Its spokesperson, Chukwuemeka Obua.
On border security, the CGI said the hitherto abandoned Air Border Patrol Unit would be revitalised and restored to its former position as the premier Aerial Border Patrol Unit in the country.
While assuring staff of improved welfare, Abeshi said the Service would not tolerate “sharp practices such as extortion, touting and general staff indiscipline.”
He directed all formations to put in place mechanisms to checkmate activities of human traffickers with a view to bringing an end to the disturbing trade.
The CGI explained that some measures would be put in place to prevent the practice of foreigners, who are non ECOWAS members, coming into the country and staying beyond their permit, adding that an e-pass project under the Trusted Travellers Scheme, TTS, would soon be introduced in partnership with Messrs CONTEC, the company implementing the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Alien Card, CERPAC, Green card project.
“When the project takes off, all non ECOWAS visitors to Nigeria and who intend to stay in excess of 56 days would be required to register and pay a fee equivalent of $200 while those who over stay their visitors passes in excess of between 90-180 days would pay a penalty of an equivalent of $1000. Those who over stay in excess of 180 days would be required to pay a penalty of equivalent $2000,” he explained.