Nigeria has been elected the Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS Heads of Immigration Forum. At its recent meeting in Banjul, The Gambia, which was attended by 13 countries excluding Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the Forum said the meeting was to dialogue with the aim of addressing Migration and Mobility challenges in the sub-region. Service Spokesman, DCI Kenneth Udo in a statement said the meeting which saw the emergence of Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration (CGIS), Kemi Nandap, had as its theme “Acceleration of the Implementation of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) and the Abolishment of the 90-Day Stay Limit/Residence Permits for Community Citizens”, with special focus on the introduction of the ENBIC to replace ECOWAS Travel Certificate and Residence Permit.
“This new Biometric Card is aimed at facilitating Easier Movement, Residence and the Right to do business across the region without compromising the National Security of individual member states”, said Udo. In her opening address, Nandap emphasised the need for member States to expedite the implementation of these policies, which are key to fostering Regional Integration and Socio-Economic Progress. She said the abolition of the 90-day Stay Limit, along with the deployment of the ENBIC, will significantly strengthen Free Movement, Residence, and Establishment Rights for ECOWAS citizens. “While acknowledging the strides made so far, CGIS Nandap, also, highlighted current challenges such as Irregular Migration, Human Trafficking, and Border Security concerns, which have been exacerbated by expansive borders. She called for a coordinated and harmonised approach to Border Management and Immigration practices across the region to ensure both Security and the protection of Citizens’ Rights. The workshop concluded with the adoption of Roadmap for the implementation of agreed pillars (8) to be progressively pursued in the realisation of the Act SA.1/7/14), being a Decision of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government. The Forum agreed to work with the existing Border Management Thematic Working Group earlier established”, the statement added.
