Caroline Wuraola Adepoju, the Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has advocated for support from the private sector to improve and upgrade operational infrastructure. This assistance is crucial for enhancing the efficiency of processing international passports and other travel documents. Adepoju emphasized that such support could manifest through the provision of work tools, equipment, and structures in the Passport Office, effectively addressing the inadequate facilities faced by the border control and management agency.
The CGI highlighted that corporate organizations’ intervention in facility provision would significantly contribute to resolving the challenges in passport processing. This comes at a time when there is a growing demand for international passports due to Nigerians relocating overseas for educational or employment opportunities. The unprecedented demand has strained the system, leading to issues like inadequate supply and internet bandwidth glitches.
Adepoju spoke at the Nigeria Immigration Service Ikoyi Passport Office in Lagos during a donation event where Heirs Group and Total Energies contributed a 30 KVA Solar Power Project and an Information Communication Technology Project. She emphasized that such interventions not only bridge operational gaps but also enhance the overall efficiency of service delivery at the office.
While commending the private sector players for their corporate social responsibility initiative, said the NIS will continue to seek such collaboration to enable it to serve Nigerians better in the discharge of its mandate in providing travel documents.
She said the gesture of Heirs Group is highly appreciated because it will save the NIS sufficient resources in attending to hitches in power supply , which hampers timely production of passports with the attendant backend internet glitches.
She said what the two organisations have demonstrated as socially responsible entities is to provide assistance in critical areas that would go a long way in changing the efficiency narrative of the NIS.
She urged them not to rest in their oars in constantly rendering assistance to organisations that cater to the needs of Nigerians.
Adepoju assured the donors that the facilities will be adequately deployed and maintained saying the comfort of its customers/ applicants and the ambience of its work environment remains a core value in its mandate of service offerings.
The NIS CGI said : ” We will continue to call on Nigerians and corporate organisations to support the Nigeria Immigration Service with operational tools and facilities that would enable its personnel to put in their best. This has been achieved through the goodwill of our officers, which we will continue to harness to get the best out of our organisation. The solar power project at our Ikoyi Passport Office will enhance our seamless service for quality delivery and encourage our personnel to work in a conducive environment.
“This noble project will be well utilized. “
Also speaking, Non- Executive Director, Heirs Group, Dr. Awele Elumelu said intervention on NIS facilities could not have come at a better time, than now, when the global community is pursuing sustainability through greener energy to improve lives, fast track operational processes to ensure 24 hours power supply at Passport Offices.
Dr Elumelu said : ” This intervention for NIS will improve time for issuance of passports . As a company we will continue to seek ways to improve customer service .Such sustainability will light the path to the development of a green and prosperous Nigeria.
