Atiku: FG revokes Intels expatriates’ residence permit

Reports indicate that the federal government, through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has revoked the resident permit of expatriate staff of six companies operating in the country. Muhammad Babandede, comptroller-general of NIS, announced this in Abuja on Wednesday in a statement issued Mr Sunday James, spokesman of the agency.

According to The Cable, James identified the companies as Intels Nig. Ltd., co-founded by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Prodeco International Ltd., West Africa Machinery Services Ltd., Net Global System International Ltd., MGM Logistics Solutions Ltd., and Oriean Investment Ltd.

He said the action was in exercise of the powers vested on the comptroller-general in section 39 subsection 1 of the Immigration Act 2015 and section 5, subsection 5 of the Immigration Regulation 2017. The sections empower the NIS to revoke the resident permit of expatriate workers of companies whose operational licenses are withdrawn by the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority.

“Consequently, Babandede has directed that the expatriate staff of the affected companies above leave Nigeria not later than November 30, 2017,” James said. “They might be recommended to the Honourable Minister of Interior for deportation should they fail to leave the country as directed by the CGI.”

In October, FG had terminated Intels’ contract with the Nigerian Ports Authority over allegations that the firm did not comply with the government’s directive on the treasury single account.