By Isaac Job, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has charged the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to devise new means of protecting the nation’s borders to fight terrorism.
Speaking in Uyo during a Stakeholders’ Sensitization programme on the Nigeria Visa Policy Document (NVP 2020), organised by the Akwa Ibom State Command of NIS, Emmanuel said a functional and proactive Immigration Service can be used to forestall terrorist attacks.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo, urged the NIS to borrow a leaf from the United States, which has made their Immigration Service a part of their Department of Homeland Affairs to prevent a repeat of the September 11, 2001 terrorists attack against the World Trade Centre.
He commended the collaboration of security agencies in the state, saying the peace enjoyed in Akwa Ibom was due to unity and synergy between the agencies. He added that the state government will continue to work with all federal agencies to make sure peace and tranquility prevail in the state, The Trumpet gathered.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is a critical member of the Nigerian Security architecture. In most of the advanced world, it is part of the first line of national defence, given the critical role it plays in admitting visitors through various points of entry.
“In today’s world of asymmetric security situations, the seemingly innocent visitor you may have admitted into your country may be part of a terrorist sleeper cell. Such a visitor may have been sent by his or her sponsors with an expressed evil command to cause a breach of public peace through acts of terrorism.
“The need, therefore, for the Immigration Service to meet regularly, explore new approaches to protecting the nation, and thinking, anticipate and disrupting such evil designs has become even more urgent and imperative.
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“I am optimistic that this seminar, with the quality of the professionals assembled, will, in the end, come up with new ways and approaches by the Service to deliver its mandate and ensure that evil people are kept away from our shores,” he stated
The Acting Comptroller-General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris, listed merits of visas to include instruments used by nations to regulate entry and exit of migrants into their territories as well as being used to spur economic development, enhance global relationships and promote peace and security.
“The Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP 2020) is an ambitious document that would drastically transform the economy of our country. In the document, we have expanded Visa classes from mere six to 79 classes in three new categories of Short Visit Visa (28 classes), Temporary Residence Visa (36 classes) and Permanent Residence Visa (15 classes).
“The major highlight of the document is that we now have Visa classes for every conceivable purpose of travel unlike before when we issue only business or work Visa to anyone desirous of coming into the country,” the Comptroller General said.
Idris, represented by the Zonal Coordinator Zone E, Owerri, E C Ejiogu (ACG), said Akwa Ibom is currently one of the most business-friendly states in Nigeria. Hence, being rated the second-best state in the attraction of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) rating after Lagos.
“Akwa Ibom State has the longest and largest coastline in the country. Its coastline measures about 129 kilometres. The aquatic resources are massive just as the need to emplace deliberate maritime security structure for effective protection is imperative,” he said.
He added, however, that there was need for more discussions and collaboration to work out a much more responsive and enduring security arrangement for the Blue Border areas of the state.
On his part, the Controller of NIS, Akwa Ibom State, George Chamlong Didel affirmed that the state is the second most business friendly state in Nigeria, after Lagos.
However, he bemoaned the high rate of human trafficking and crime of harvesting human parts in the state and pledged to redouble efforts to tackle illegal migration in the state.
He encouraged those with legitimate reasons to migrate to partner with the Service for authentic travel documents. He also informed the public of the existence of ECOWAS passport which could enable them to do business around West African Countries.
“A lot of people do not know of ECOWAS passport which could help you travel around West African Countries. It is most convenient to acquire because you can get in within few hours. You don’t have to wait for the standard Nigerian Passport which may take a minimum of three weeks for renewal and six weeks for new one,” he said.
