THE NATION
• To implement electronic gates at airports effective Feb 2024
The Federal Government yesterday unveiled technologically driven reforms for international passport issuance for its citizens by setting a 96 hours processing timeline , insisting that the production of the travel document should not be seen as a privilege, but a fundamental right of its nationals.
Besides the revolutionary timeline, the government said, it will effective February 2024 start the implementation of Electronic Gates at the Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu international airports to facilitate the entrance of Nigerians into the country without submitting themselves to clearance relying only on Advanced Passenger Information for their pre- profiling as it is practiced in other countries.
But, the government put a caveat : ” only persons of interest ” – will have to go through the route of bio-metric checking and counter processing.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji- Ojo disclosed this during the handing over and grand opening of the Remodeled Clearance Area of the E- Arival Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport ( MMIA), Lagos.
The Minister said working with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, the government will spare no effort to scale up technology in assisting Nigerians get their travel documents with ease , saying the era of backlog of passports at Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), offices is now a thing of the past.
He said effective this month, the only reason Nigerians may have to visit NIS Passport Offices is to undergo bio- metric fingerprints.
Ojo said the Tinubu administration is not resting on its oars to ensure Nigerians get a fair deal, in the way and manner they are treated trying to get their travel documents.
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