Immigration generated N38bn in 2017 – CG

Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has said it raked in more than N38 billion between January and December 2017, from the passport revenue, address verifi cation fees, non refundable administration fees, and e-pass, among others.
According to him, part of the revenue generated has, however, been paid into the government pulse, service providers and other stakeholders.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja, during an operational review meeting with zonal coordinators and comptrollers of commands, the Service’s Comptroller-General, Mohammed Babandede, said it also generated “about $28, 850, 654 from passports and $1, 087,950 from carrier liability/visa on arrival from foreign collection.
” Babandede said he had opened Service Windows at all state commands, zonal and service headquarters for receiving all applications for various immigration services, adding that it was “intended to eliminate unnecessary human interface in service delivery and prevention of rent seeking opportunity for extortion, bribery and corruption by officers and nonofficers.
” He charged senior officers to ensure discipline at various levels, saying there was the need for strict adherence to the provisions of the public service rules and discipline with respect to wearing the correct badges of rank, “especially by officers of Inspectorate Cadre, compliance to the Service Dress Code, appropriate hair, jewelry and make-up by female officers and courteous and friendly behaviour towards customers.
” The NIS boss also tasked the senior officers to embrace President Muhammadu Buhari’s initiative on the Ease of Doing Business and the opportunity in the agriculture sector for sustainable alternative as they approached retirement.
Babandede disclosed that NIS was commended for being proactive and received a trophy from the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in recognition of its contributions to the Ease of Doing Business reform.