Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who is the Minister of Interior has disclosed that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has in just four days managed to clear a backlog of almost 60,000 passports.
The Minister made this disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja when the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Betta Edu paid him a courtesy call.
‘When we came on board, the passport crisis was an embarrassment. And, we said: it cannot continue!’ a statement from the minister’s spokesman Alao Babatunde quoted his principal as saying.
‘As of this morning, I can tell you that about 60,000 passport backlogs have been cleared, especially 59,906. On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, when I gave the 2-week ultimatum, we had over 200,000 backlogs. We have recorded progress, and I maintain my word that those backlogs must be cleared.’
Read Also: Anguish As Morocco Earthquake Death Toll Soars To 2,700
On her part, Edu said the visit was due to the need to extend its hand of partnership with the ministry as it seeks to tackle human trafficking and other related challenges including poor veterans’ welfare, underemployment, and poverty among citizens.
According to her, the ministry was in the best position to solve issues of human trafficking as it plays a supervisory role in the NIS.
The interior minister is therefore assuring her of his cooperation.
‘His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed us to see the place of partnership as agents of his #RenewedHope Agenda, and we are here to deliver on this mandate,’ he added.
‘We assure you of our support. Your initiative is progressive and commendable, especially at this crucial time in the history of our country. There is a lot of work to be done, and we cannot work in silos as the President has directed.’
Africa Today News, New York recalls that the new Ministers were last month inaugurated by the President.