NIS in Enugu issued 25,400 international passports in 2018, says Comptroller

The Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has said it issued more than 24,000 international passports in 2018.

Comptroller of the Command, Mr Sam Chinda, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent in Enugu, on Thursday.

Chinda said that there were two types of passports issued, that which contained 32 pages and the other with 64 pages.

“For the 32 pages international passports booklet, we issued 25,036; while for the 64 pages international passports booklet, we issued 372.

“In the year 2018 under review, we did not encounter any challenge or shortfall of passport booklets at all, as we delivered on time as stipulated by the service new guidelines,’’ he said.

The comptroller also said that the command showed tremendous improvement in the human and technical aspects of the processes involved in the issuance of the passports.

“Our personnel had been professional and dedicated to their duties, which had helped to ease the process and ensure timely delivery.

“Nigerians leave here (the command) satisfied and happy with us for solving their passports and other travel service needs; as well as getting first hand answers to other inquiries.

“The Controller-General of NIS, Mr Mohammed Babandede, has made training and re-training of members staff, one of his major focuses,’’ he said.

According to him, the NIS has also deployed new advanced technologies in the command to reduce time and curb technical delays in the issuance of passports.

He said all passports issuance processes did not take more than 48 hours.

He further explained that when there were any delays, explanations were usually given to the applicant within 72 hours.

According to Chinda, the command has since his assumption of office in August, 2018, extended work hours beyond 4:00 p.m. in order to meet up with the demands of applicants.

“Sometimes, we work till 7:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. to ensure that everybody, especially people with emergencies, are attended to.

“These emergencies can be on health, school schedule, flight challenges or change, as well as other special circumstances.’’