TheCable

The house of representatives committee on foreign affairs has kicked against the production of Nigerian passports by a private firm abroad. 

Timehin Adelegbe, vice chairman of the committee, said such practice is unacceptable and poses security threat to the country.

He was speaking at a public hearing organised on Tuesday regarding the “malpractices associated with diplomatic postings and deliberate draining of resources in the ministry of foreign affairs.”

Adelegbe said it was abnormal for a private firm outside the country to print the passport as it contains security features.

He also said most Nigerians were not happy with the strenuous process of collecting their passports, adding that the issue must be addressed.

Yusuf Yakub, chairman of the committee, said the ministry of foreign affairs remains the mirror through which the entire world sees Nigeria.

“We must, therefore, resolve to work together to achieve the foreign service of our fondest dreams; and the time to do this, for me, personally, is today,” he said.

In his remarks, Mohammed Babandede, the comptroller general of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), said one of his greatest wishes is to produce Nigerian passports within the country.

“Our wish is to produce even a booklet of Nigerian passport in our compound,” he said.

Babandede also denied allegations of malpractice in NIS foreign postings.

He said while officers used to lobby to get lucrative postings, he has made the process transparent since assuming office.

He added that the extra charges being collected by Nigerian foreign missions would be addressed.