The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) said on Monday that 24 officers were to various embassies abroad to ease the process of obtaining visas and e-passport.
The NIS Public Relations Officer, Mr Emeka Obua, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Obua said some Nigerians in Diaspora and foreigners experienced difficulties obtaining because NIS was not represented at some Nigerian embassies.
“President Goodluck Jonathan has graciously approved and increased the number of missions abroad so that the service can send officers to man them.
“With this development, the issue of delays or non-availability of our services will reduce tremendously.’’
The spokesman said to complement the effort of officers, the service would also make provisions for more machines since the passport was mainly done online.
Obua said though the number of officers abroad was not yet adequate to resolve the problem, the service hoped to send more officers to man other immigration desks as soon as possible.
He said that NIS had begun the implementation of the new e-passport reforms, and called on all Nigerians to cooperate with the service to ensure its implementation.
The spokesman said the new 64-page e-passport costs N20, 000, adding that those under 18 years and those above 60 years could obtain the passport at N8, 750.
“The new passport has security features to forestall identity theft, accommodate frequent travelers, take care of low income earners and the aged and is gender friendly,” he said.
NAN recalls that the Federal Government on July 29 launched the new 64-page e-passport as part of its commitment to give seamless service delivery to Nigerians locally and internationally.
The issuance of the new travel document has commenced and will be used side-by-side the existing 32-page e-passport. (NAN)
