The Nigerian government on Tuesday said it has introduced automation in its expatriates quota administration to remove delay and abuse of the system.

Minister of Interior Abba Moro made this known at the 2013 Ministerial Platform in Abuja, saying the introduction of the automation of the expatriate quota was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

He said it is aimed at removing challenges associated with the method of processing citizenship and business permits to foreigners.

The minister said the automation had led to faster and timely processing of applications as well as reduced the use of paper works to the barest minimum.

Moro said the new process had also eliminated contacts between the applicants of the quota and citizenship with officials of the ministry, thereby curbing abuse by officials.

Moro said that President Goodluck Jonathan had also approved the issuance of visas to genuine business men and top management staff of multinational organizations at points of entry into the country.

He said the new visa policy was to quicken economic development by encouraging job creation as well as boost tourism.

The minister said citizens of countries with which Nigeria had visa agreements were also being issued visas at points of entry.

Moro said the Nigeria Immigration Service deployed officers to 444 countries to issue e-passports to Nigerians in Diaspora.

According to him, the ministry has installed electronic Machine Readable Travels Document (MRTD) in all the international airports to check the authenticity of the e-passports. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)