…Minister excited at ICRC’s approval of OBCs bankable project
By Frank Momoh
By The Federal Government on Thursday said over 2.7 million passports were issued in 24 months even as it assured that hiccups associated with the application and collection of passports will soon be a thing of the past as 2.7 million passports.
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, stated this at meet the media forum in Abuja on the achievements so far recorded under his ministry.
Meanwhile, the Minister was excited at that the approval by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) of the Outline Business Case (OBC’s) Certificate of Compliance presented by the Director General of the ICRC, Barr. Mike Ohiani to the Ministry showed that the project is bankable, reliable and will be of great value to the country.
He acknowledged: “It is important to inform you that we have witnessed growing demand for the Nigerian passport both locally and by Nigerians in diaspora, adding that a total of 2,742,207 passports of different categories were issued between 2019 to date.
He said: “The year-on-year increasing growth rate is however putting a lot of pressure on the current processing structure and resources and further justifies the need for a reform in the passport application and processing system in line with the current reality.”
The minister revealed that the ministry was aware of the challenges faced by Nigerians in securing their passports, but noted that “effort is being put in place to make it a thing of the past.
“The ministry is aware of the challenges faced by applicants for processing and re-issue of passports.
“I want to use this unique opportunity to assure Nigerians that the current experience will soon be a thing of the past.
“New production and capture centres will be opened in the next few weeks to ease access by Nigerians all over the world.
“I am pleased to inform Nigerians that the Ministry has taken substantial measures to address the issue of shortages of the e-passport booklets.
“This year alone, the ministry approved a special deployment of over 600,000 passport booklets, the largest of its kind ever done, to cushion the effects of shortages being experienced.”
However, Aregbesola, said NIS is working round the clock to put an end to the underhand dealings associated with corruption in the system, adding that reforms such as a new appointment management system, amongst others are taking place to reduce corruption to the barest minimum.
“You may wish to recall the recent sting operation carried out by the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration. This is in line with the initiatives we have adopted to clean up the system of bad eggs.
“To limit human interference and corruption, we are streamlining the whole passport application and production processes to increase efficiency.
“In the coming days, a new and digital appointment management system will be launched to optimise the passport application experience for Nigerians,
Meanwhile, the Minister has revealed that the approval by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) of the Outline Business Case (OBC’s) Certificate of Compliance presented by the Director General of the ICRC, Barr. Mike Ohiani to the Ministry showed that the project is bankable, reliable and will be of great value to the country.
He stated this today during the Inauguration of the Project Steering Committee of Life Safety System, Networking, Monitoring and Dispatcher Real-Time Integration System (LSSNMDI) and the formal Presentation of the Project’s Business Case Certificate of Compliance in his office today in Abuja.
According to him, the certificate shows that the project is bankable, machine to machine and real time alert of the fire emergencies to which Federal, State and Local Government Fire Services can adopt for effective service delivery.
He promised that all the Fire Services will make the best use of this project,” the Minister stressed.
He charged members of the Committee to put in their best commitment to ensure that the safety of lives and properties in terms of fire disaster is managed to the barest minimum in Nigerian, Aregbesola added.
Belgore, while speaking further said: “By virtue of the powers vested under the ICRC Act (2005) as Chairman of all Project Delivery Team of PPP projects of the Ministry of Interior Safety System Networking, Monitoring & Real-Life Dispatcher Integration Technology (LSSNDI)” will be properly managed.
The Director, Special Duties in Ministry, Mr. Olufunsho Alabi in his vote of thanks appreciated the giant strides of the Minister and the Permanent Secretary in ensuring that the Ministry attained its great height in terms of its mandate while also promising to put in their best as members of these dual Committee to move the projects to a successful conclusion.