The Comptroller–General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (CGIS), Mr Idris Jere, on Wednesday warned officers to stay away from extortion and sharp practices in the processing of passports.
Jere gave the warning at the opening of a three-day workshop for officers and men of the Provost and Servicom Units .of NIS Zone A. Lagos.
He said that such acts constitute impediments in the process of obtaining passports.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by the officer in charge of the Zone, the Assistant Comptroller–General of Immigration Service (ACGIS ), Mr Olakunle Osisanya, to brighten- up the officials.
Jere mandated all officers and men working in passport offices to maintain a high level of discipline, and professionalism in their conduct.
According to him, NIS executes a lot of statutory functions, among which is the issuance of passports and other travel documents.
He said these statuory functions called for discipline from people within and outside the service.
The comptroller-general said the objective of the workshop was to drive home the need to respect the appointment system, towards achieving excellent service.
He said, “It is with this, among others, that henceforth, entrance into the passport offices would be based strictly on applicant’s ability to provide evidence of appointment and collection dates”.
Jere, who was represented by Mrs Modupe Anyalichi, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration Service in- charge of passport and other travel documents, said Nigerians must abide by NIS policies.
The NIS boss told the participants that integrity of the appointment system of dates would be monitored and that any officer caught extorting applicants would face discipline.
He said that the appointment system of dates allows proper queuing management system.
Source: The Guardian
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