The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen Abdulraman Danbazau, has urged the public to report verifiable cases of extortion by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) while applying for national passport.
Danbazau gave the charge while inaugurating the Warri Passport Issuance Office in Warri on Friday.
The minister noted that when officials are perpetually extorting passport applicants, the impression one gets is that of a corrupt immigration service.
Danbazau advised applicants for passport to be bold enough to report any act of bribery by the officials.
“This administration will not condone any form of extortion and demand for gratification among immigration officers.
“Passport issuance in various categories comes with fixed charges, accessible, and in public domain.
“Anyone of you applying for a passport and being told to offer any form of gratification, compromise decorum and integrity should quickly report such case to the ministry and we will take appropriate actions”, he said.
Controller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Martin Abeshi, said creating another office in Warri was to ease the stress people seeking passport undergo in Asaba.
“The stress of distance for those who had had to travel to either Asaba or Benin previously to get their passports has been solved.
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“We realise the distance Nigerians have to travel to obtain passports with the attendant inconveniences and costs.
“With a second office in Warri for Delta, long journeys to Asaba or Benin for applicants in this city and environs have been stopped”, he said.
Mr Festus Agas, Secretary to the Delta Government, represented Gov. Ifenayi Okowa on the occasion.
Agas assured that the state government would also support the immigration service for better service delivery. (NAN)