Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has lent his support towards documentation of immigrants, saying such would 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), Mohammad Babandede paid him a courtesy call Tuesday, in Asaba, the governor observed that it was important for appropriate reforms to be taken for the benefits 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 the planning for the nation when it comes to taking care of our people,” he said.
The governor explained that without the right account of the people, the resources would become depleted and planning would be affected drastically.
He congratulated (NIS) on the immigrant reform, adding, “I think it is important for us as a nation because you find out that people from other countries just come into our country and settle in any part of the nation.”
He noted that such people are not documented in any manner and not good for a nation because should they commit crimes, they cannot be traced. It is important that even without people committing crime, we should have documentations of foreigners in our country, he emphasised.
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 on the issue concerning e-passport which will be tied down 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 thinking about this thoroughly and bringing up this reform.”
Governor Okowa assured NIS of his administration’s continual support as they are rendering vital services to Deltans and Nigerians in general.
Babandede had earlier said he was in Delta State to commission some projects and commended Governor Okowa for his administration’s numerous supports for the NIS.
