OKOWA THROWS WEIGHT BEHIND PROPER DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has backed the documentation of immigrants in the country, saying that it will ensure proper planning and assist in the security of lives and property of Nigerians.

Speaking when the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. Mohammad Babandede paid him a courtesy call on Tuesday in Asaba, the Governor observed that it was important for appropriate reforms to be initiated for the benefit of Nigerians and the country.  

“It is very important both for security purposes and for our population plan for foreigners to be documented because, without appropriate documentation it can impact negatively on planning for the nation when it comes to taking care of our people, so, without the right account of our people, our resources will become depleted and planning will be affected drastically,” Governor Okowa said.

He emphasized, “we must congratulate you (NIS) on the immigrant reform; I think it is important for us as a nation because you will discover that people from other countries just come in and settle in any part of the country; they are not documented in any manner and that is not good for the nation because if they commit crimes, they cannot be traced and it is important that even without people committing crime, we should have documentations of foreigners in our country.”

The Governor commended the NIS for initiating landmark reforms, stating, “I am very excited to be briefed on some of these projects that you have embarked on especially the e-passport which will be tied to national identity; it is something that is very innovative, something that I believe can really help us in national security, because, people bearing all manner of names and people with more than one passport will surely become a thing of the past; so, we want to thank you for thoroughly giving this a thought and bringing up this reform.”

Governor Okowa assured NIS of his administration’s continued support as they were rendering vital services to Deltans and Nigerians in general.

Mr. Babandede had said he was in Delta State to commission some projects and commended Governor Okowa for his administration’s immense support for NIS.