By Ummi Ismaeel,
Minna
Niger State government has thrown its weight behind Federal Government’s planned biometric capturing for all migrants, adding that the concept will help in monitoring and tracking irregular migrants into Nigeria, especially from neighbouring countries.
Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, made the declaration when he hosted the new Controller, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Niger State Command, Mamman Ango.
The biometric documentation of all migrants residing in any part of Nigeria tagged, ‘e-registration’ of the Nigeria Immigration Service would help in checking the influx of aliens and as well monitor their movements across Nigeria, he said.
Matane who expressed optimism that the e-registration would also enhance national security, aid internal monitoring and integration among the different ethnic nationalities, assured of the state government’s support to actualizing set objectives.
Despite the insecurity in the country, Matane said that Niger State remained the most peaceful and attributed the feat to good governance since the inception of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
Matane pointed out that peace, unity and security of lives and properties remained vital ingredients for development and progress of any nation, hence the need for peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic nationalities without which development will remain a mirage.
The new Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mamman Ango, had said he was in the SSG to congratulate Matane over his appointment by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and to formally introduce himself to the state government.
He said the Federal Government has directed all foreigners in the country to register with the Nigerian Immigration Service within the next six months under the migrant e-registration programme and therefore solicited for the state government’s support in achieving set goals.
The migrants’ e-registration exercise which was launched on Friday, 12th of this month by President Muhammadu Buhari would be conducted across the country and therefore wanted the state governments to mobilize foreigners who are on employment ahead of the exercise.
