NIS: Why passports issuance is delayed — Aregbesola

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said current delays in the issuance of travel passports is caused by the integration of the National Identity Number (NIN) with the names database.

Aregbesola stressed that Nigerians must know that if the names on their passport bio data and NIN do not tally, it would be difficult to prove that such names identified one person.

He said; “We must integrate NIN with passports and that’s why most of the delays are not caused by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

“For as long as your biodata integrates with your NIN which is in the database of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), then you have no issue.

“If the database of NIMC cannot accept your bio data, then the issuance of passport will be difficult,’’ he said.

Aregbesola also blamed periodic server failure at the NIMC for delay in confirmation of NIN and consequently the issuance of passports.

“Tally in arrangement of names is important as these little things conspire against speedy processing of passports.

“Most applicants do not care about these minute details even though we have digitalised the entire application process,” he said.

He said the ministry and the NIS were working to ensure that passports applicants were able to track their applications online.

Agencies of the ministry are the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, the Federal Fire Service and the NIS.

The minister urged the agencies to pay serious attention to public perception about them.

“What you get the public to see and believe is of great importance and if a user of your service is dissatisfied with your service, then act, appropriately,’’ Aregbesola advised.