TheCable

Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior, says the federal government will soon commence home delivery of passports to those who opt for the service.

The minister spoke on Saturday at the opening of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) passport front desk office in Auchi, Edo State.

The minister said it is the intention of the federal government to provide the passport for anyone desirous of it within a reasonable time, at an affordable price and without any stress.

He promised to conclude negotiations with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) to engage “its speed mail service to deliver passports to Nigerians wherever they are in the world after production”.

The minister decried the prevalence of a few unscrupulous officials subverting the system, cornering applications, inflating prices, extorting applicants and hiding already-produced passports.

He advised applicants not to go through third parties but apply on any internet-enabled device through the NIS portal.

“I will therefore plead with applicants not to go through them and other touts hanging around passport offices, soliciting from applicants. The application can be done in your bedroom on your Android phone through the Nigeria Immigration Service portal. You do not need a third party,” he said.

“Those who patronise them are the ones encouraging their nefarious activities and frustrating our efforts at transparency and providing seamless service.”