Tunji-Ojo flaunts NIS clearing 60,000 passports in new accelerated service delivery
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Interior Minister Bunmi Tunji-Ojo is basking in jubilation over the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) having just cleared 60,000 passport backlogs in his new push for accelerated service delivery.
He enthused more will soon be cleared from the total 200,000 pile up and the NIS will eliminate all bottlenecks to ensure new passports are processed within the regulatory two weeks.
Tunji-Ojo disclosed this in Abuja when he received in his office Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister Betta Edu.
“As at this morning, I can tell you that about 60,000 passport backlogs have been cleared, specially 59,906. On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, when I gave the 2-week ultimatum, we had over 200,000 backlogs. We have recorded progress, and I maintain my words, those backlogs must be cleared,” he said.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed us to see the place of partnership as agents of his #RenewedHope Agenda, and we are here to deliver on this mandate.”
_________________________________________________________________
Related articles:
Tunji-Ojo decries passport issuance delay, promises to hasten process
Biodata and NIN discrepancies causing delay in passport issuance
NIS declares state of emergency in passport issuance
__________________________________________________________________
Tackling human trafficking
“We assure you of our support. Your initiative is progressive and commendable, especially at this crucial time in the history of our country.
“There is a lot of work to be done, and we cannot work in silos as the President has directed,” Tunji-Ojo stressed, per The Guardian.
“Thank you Dr Betta Edu. We are not just working on humanitarian endeavours as human trafficking, our NIS must help us change the story, completely.
“When we came on board, the passport crisis was an embarrassment. And, we said: it cannot continue.”
Tunji-Ojo urged Edu to join the partnership to fight against human trafficking and other related challenges, including poor veterans’ welfare, underemployment, and poverty among citizens.
Edu explained the visit was prompted by the need for a strong partnership to drive Tinubu’s target on poverty alleviation.
She reiterated the Interior Ministry is in the best position to tackle human trafficking as it supervises the NIS.