By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has stressed the need for a robust and proactive Immigration Service, saying that it would help check acts of terrorism in Nigeria.
Governor Emmanuel made the advocacy on Thursday in Uyo during a Stakeholders’ Sensitization programme on the Nigeria Visa Policy Document (NVP 2020) organised by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Akwa Ibom State Command.
He said that a robust and proactive Immigration services required new approaches to protecting the nation to forestall terrorist attacks.
Emmanuel who was represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo at the occasion, urged the NIS to emulate the United States, which have made their Immigration Service part of their Department of Homeland Affairs to prevent a repeat of the September 11, 2001 terrorists attack.
He commended the collaboration of security agencies in the state saying the peace enjoyed in Akwa Ibom was due to unity and work between them, adding that the state government will continue to work with all federal agencies to make sure peace and tranquility prevail in the state.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is a critical member of the Nigerian Security architecture. In most of the advanced world, it is part of the first line of national defence, given the critical role it plays in admitting visitors through various ports of entries in those nations.
“In today’s world of asymmetric security situations, the seemingly innocent visitor you may have admitted into your country may be part of a terrorist sleeper cell. Such a visitor may have been sent by his or her sponsors with the expressed and evil command to cause a breach of public peace through acts of terrorism.
“The need therefore, for the Immigration Service to meet regularly, explore new approaches of protecting the nation, and thinking, anticipating and disrupting such evil designs has become even more urgent and imperative.
“I am optimistic that this Seminar, with the quality of the professionals assembled, will, at the end, come up with new ways and approaches by the Service to deliver its mandate and ensure that evil people are kept away from our shores,” he stated
Addressing the sensitization meeting, the Acting Comptroller-General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris, described visa as one of the strongest instruments used by nations to control the entry and exit of migrants into their territories; and used to spur economic development, enhance global relationships and promote peace and security.
“The Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP 2020) is an ambitious document that would drastically transform the economy of our country. In the document, we have expanded Visa classes from mere six to 79 classes in three new categories of Short Visit Visa (28 classes), Temporary Residence Visa (36 classes) and Permanent Residence Visa (15 classes).
“The major highlight of the document is that we now have Visa classes for every conceivable purpose of travel unlike before when we issued only business or work Visa to anyone desirous of coming into the country.” The Comptroller General said.
Idris represenred by the Zonal Coordinator Zone E, Owerri, E C Ejiogu (ACG) said Akwa Ibom is currently one of the most business-friendly states in Nigeria today, hence, being rated the Second Best State in the attraction of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) rating after Lagos.
Stressing that such could not have been possible without the enormous works being done by the present leadership in the State, Idris said he was proud of the efforts by the state government, especially so because, the state is very special in many ways.
“Akwa Ibom State has the longest and largest coastline in the country. Its coastline measures about 129 kilometres. The aquatic resources are massive just as the need to emplace deliberate maritime security structure for effective protection is imperative.”
He said there was however the need for more discussions and collaboration on how to work out a more responsive and enduring security arrangement for the Blue Border areas of the state.
The Controller of Immigration Service, Akwa Ibom State, George Chamlong Didel on his part adjudged Akwa Ibom the second most business friendly states in Nigeria, after Lagos.
He however, bemoaned the high rate of human trafficking and crime of harvesting human parts in the state and pledged to redouble effort to tackle illegal migration in the state.
He encouraged those with legitimate reasons to migrate to partner with the Service for authentic travel documents. He also informed the public of an existence of ECOWAS passport which could enable them do businesses around West African Countries.
“A lot of people do not know of ECOWAS passport which could help you travel round West African Countries. It is most convenient to acquire because you can get it within few hours. You don’t have to wait for the standard Nigerian Passport which may take a minimum of three weeks for renewal and six weeks for new one”
