By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) generated N12.2 billion from issuance of e-passports to Nigerians in 2014, according to the Comptroller-General of NIS, David Parradang.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja, at the inauguration of the an electronic platform to block revenue leakages and enforce accountability and probity in government transactions, Parradang said that the service generated N9.2 billion locally while the immigration desks at the Nigerian Missions abroad generated $15.4 million last year.
He also said that a Data Centre was also constructed to guarantee quick resolution of technical issues regarding the e-payment platform.
Parradang stated that the NIS would continue to strengthen the system architecture of the e-passport through conscientious implementation of necessary initiatives, in addition to its traditional role within the security matrix of the country.
The CG added that, as part of the drive to further provide security for NIS personnel and visitors, the service constructed two automatic rising bollards to enhance effective control of entry and exit of vehicles around the main headquarters building.
He said, “The transition from cash collection has evidently improved our internally-generated revenue profile astronomically. For instance, in 2014, the sum of N9,249,483,600 was generated locally, as revenue accruing from e-passports while the Immigration desks at the Nigerian missions abroad where we are currently issuing -passports generated $15,346,980.”
Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, who inaugurated the projects, lauded Parradang for embarking on the reform of the NIS, noting that the Data Centre would ensure prompt resolution of challenges with the online payment platform.
He promised continuous support to the NIS to ensure that it becomes a world-class migration management agency that can compete with any of its counterparts in the world.
