A renowned Peace and Social Justice Advocate, Amb. Hussaini Coomassie, has expressed concern over the new passport policy recently implemented by the Federal Ministry of Interior led by the Minister, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, describing the new policy as a threat to national security if not reversed.
Coomassie, who is also the Global Vice Chairman (Africa), Advocacy for Good Governance & Social Justice Network and a retired Senior Immigration Officer, pointed out that the new policy is a clear violation of Section 11 of the Immigration Act of 2015 which requires guarantors for Nigerians seeking to obtain international passports to enable them travel abroad.
The Ministry of Interior under Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo had recently announced changes in the passport application process, thereby eliminating the requirement of guarantors for applicants, which is a very important requirement.
But reacting to the development at the weekend, Amb. Hussaini Coomassie said the Minister of Interior lacks the powers to make such a reckless declaration. Inisisting that it is a dangerous move that gives room for foreigners and criminals to secure Nigerian passport easily without background checks.
He noted that the decision disregarded a critical security measure outlined in Section 11 of the Nigeria Immigration Act, which mandates all passport applicants to provide guarantors who can attest to their real identity and backgrounds.
Dr. Coomassie, also insisted that if the policy is not reversed, it will undermine the security of our passport, especially now that our passports are still printed/produced in faraway Malaysia,”As a matter of fact, there is need to reintroduce DSS clearance before passports are acquired as it was in the past, that will give it more security and integrity”
He advised Nigerians to always start the process ahead of time, to avoid rush hour, except in cases of Medical trips or exhausted pages and emphasized the significance of maintaining stringent security measures within the passport application processes, due to the fact that passports are essential documents for international travels and identification.
He further insisted that the Hon. Minister lacks powers to recklessly implement such a policy and threatened to sue the Minister and all the stakeholders if the said Section 11 of the Immigration Act is not adhered to.
“What the Minister should do is to re-engage NIS Technical Partners, Iris Technology, Socket/New Works etc., to review the ill contract that is frustrating the system otherwise backlogs can’t be cleared completely as the Minister claimed, if the passports are not produced in Nigeria.”
“ The Minister is only dabbling around the problem instead of finding a lasting solution. If the company can’t bring their equipment to Nigeria to commence passport production in the country, there will always be backlogs.”
“As a matter of fact, there is even shortage of passport booklets right now, as we speak and if proper measures are not taken within the week, the problem will be compounded, as Umrah & Hajj operations approaches. I recommend that the Honorable Minister and the Comptroller General should jointly engage the contractors directly, to get more information on the real challenges in passport production and act accordingly”.
“The security and integrity of any nation’s passport system are paramount, as they directly impact national security and international relations.”
He urged for a collaborative effort to uphold the rule of law and ensure the security of our passport as well as the Borders to effectively control the inflow of persons,”Of course, Nigerians appreciate the Minister’s efforts in bringing sanity to the passport administration and control. However, he seems to be busy chasing shadows and leaving the subject. What he needs are technocrats that can put him through and definitely not opportunists or sycophants.” He can’t do it alone. He added.
