The Federal Government (FG) yesterday launched the Production Centre of the enhanced e-passport in Enugu, and has concentrated in the state, all activity surrounding passport procurement in the South-East by merging all the other five (05) passport offices.
The Minister of the Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who was present at the commissioning reminded the general public of the reasons why FG made the passport application process electronic, which are to end fraudulent activity and to reduce the procurement time of the Nigerian passport.
According to the Minister, “Passport applicants no longer need anyone to get passports. It is so easy to apply online, and applicants will only be required to come to the selected passport office on their appointment date for enrolment.”
He went on to enjoin applicants to make certain they have their National Identity Number (NIN) and other necessary documents available before applying online, where they will also be able to pay any fees necessary and then get an appointment date.
The Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris noted that the enhanced e-passport, which has twenty-five (25) additional security features comes in three (03) forms: thirty-two (32) pages and sixty-four (64) pages having a validity of five (05) years each, and sixty-four (64) pages with ten (10) years validity.
Mr. Idris also emphasized that holders of the ordinary Nigerian passport have no cause for worry concerning the introduction of the e-passport, as both will be used contemporaneously for the time being.
On behalf of the Governor of Enugu State – Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Prof. Simeon Uchenna Otuanya, Secretary to the Enugu State Government thanked the FG for the steps taken to enhance security in the state, and pledged his people’s continuous support to government activities.
According to sources, following the successful launching of the enhanced E-Passport Production Centre in Enugu, the FG is working determinedly on creating similar facilities in the various geopolitical zones across the country.
