The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says it is committed to issuing passports between three and six weeks post-biometric capture, where there are no technical hitches or application irregularities.

According to a statement, the NIS comptroller-general, Isa Jere, stated this at the inauguration of an enhanced e-passport production facility in Kano on Wednesday.

Mr Jere, represented at the event by the assistant comptroller-general (passport), Sadat Hassan, however, said the three to six weeks would be achieved only when there were no inconsistencies in the NIN of applicants.

“We reiterate our official position that Passport applicants should please avoid using third parties but go online and make their applications/payments themselves at passport.immigration.gov.ng,” the NIS boss explained. “We will continue to deal with the challenges of recalcitrant touts as well as few bad eggs amongst the personnel who are bent on sabotaging the reform process.”

He used the opportunity to warn the public against the nefarious activities of the racketeering syndicate.

“The Service is not recruiting at this moment and will always publish such recruitment as usual anytime we secure Federal Government approval for recruitment,” added Mr Jere.

The NIS chief added that his management team remained focused on improving service delivery with particular emphasis on efficient and seamless passport administration, border security and the welfare of the staff.

He further explained that the NIS intended to keep the two-week processing timeframe open to Nigerians in the diaspora until January 31, when the programme would end. 

(NAN)