SENATE IS LOOKING INTO THE DELAY IN THE GRANTING OF INTERNATIONAL PASSPORTS

The Senate Committee on Interior will conduct an urgent investigation into the Nigeria Immigration Service's (NIS) delay in issuing and renewing international passports.

In two weeks, the committee will submit its report.

The resolution came as a result of a motion filed by Senator Lilian Ekwunife of the Anambra Central Senatorial District at a plenary on Tuesday.

Senators Biodun Olujimi of Ekiti and Adamu Bulkachuwa of Bauchi have both decried the delay and difficulties of acquiring an international passport in Nigeria.

Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, in his remark, submitted the proposal to the Committee on Interior for examination.

The lawmaker stated in her motion headed "Delay on issuance and renewal of Nigeria International Passport" by the Nigerian Immigration Service that it has brought tremendous suffering to Nigerians, emphasizing that even after payment, they do not receive services.

She explained that Nigerians traveling outside the nation and those returning are frustrated by the NIS's epileptic services.

According to her, "International Passport is an official identity document, issued to Nigerians for the purpose of traveling out and into the country in exercise of their rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement."

She claimed that the delay contradicted the Federal Government's six-week deadline for the issue of an International passport.

She stated that under the present Comptroller-General of NIS, applicants must wait three to six months before receiving an International passport, which she deemed unacceptable under any circumstances.

She explained that the biometric capture procedure takes five to eight weeks, after which applicants must wait four months or longer to receive their passport.

Ekwunife further stated that it has become increasingly difficult for passports to be processed throughout all immigration offices in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

She said: "The international students are also finding it very difficult to renew their passports to enable them to travel back to reunite with their families."

Senator Geshom Bassey, who seconded the motion, reminded the Senate that getting an international passport is a right.

Senators Biodun Olujimi of Ekiti and Adamu Bulkachuwa of Bauchi have both decried the delay and difficulties of acquiring an international passport in Nigeria.

Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, in his remark, submitted the proposal to the Committee on Interior for examination.