The Presidency, at the weekend, disclosed that it has set up a technical committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to help in the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
The Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede disclosed this in Lagos during a business dialogue session organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI.
The CG spoke shortly after the Senate President; Dr. Bukola Saraki had announced in the same forum that the Senate had set up a technical committee on the same issue. Saraki was represented by the Chairman Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce, Senator Sam Egwu.
Saraki in his speech said that the 8th Senate is concerned that Nigeria is rated 169 out of 186 Countries on the Ease of Doing Business Index by the World Bank Group. He said that aside the technical committee set up by the Senate; there are a number of bills before the Senate geared towards jumpstarting business in the country.
On security, the Senate President said that the issue of state Police is receiving adequate attention and consideration in the on-going constitutional review before the National Assembly. He commended the contributions of the private sector in complementing the regular security agencies of government in providing security.
Senator Egwu applauded the LCCI for its giant strides in driving business in the country since its inception. He stated that in his capacity as Chairman Senate Committee on Trade and Industry, “there are only two chambers of commerce in the country: Lagos Chamber of Commerce and others”.
CG Babandede told the audience that the Immigration Service has witnessed transformation since he assumed the mantle of leadership. He stated that the reforms undertaken by the Service under his watch is in response to the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The President had given clear directives geared towards ensuring that public servants are accountable to the public”. Babandede announced that the Department now issue Visa within 24 hours of demand adding that if for any reason it is not possible the applicant must be given an explanation.
On change of name by married women, the CG disclosed that it is no longer the exclusive authority of the Abuja office of the Service. He said it is now processed and issued in every state capital. He explained that the decentralization is for the convenience of the citizenry and for prompt service delivery.
Furthermore, Mr. Babandede revealed that the machinery has set in motion to extend the validity of Nigerian Passport from the current 5years to 10years. He also said that the service now has a 64 page passport for the convenience of the frequent traveler. On security of the nation’s passport, Babandede said the Department now insists on capturing the ten fingers of each applicant during the biodata capturing process. This, he stated was in response the activities of unscrupulous elements.
“In furtherance of its resolve to contribute in the effort to improve on the ease of doing business in the country, the Immigration Service easily issue residence permit to foreigners who have sizeable amount of money to invest in the country and those who have special skills that are not easily obtainable here”, Babandede said.
Speaking directly on security, the CG of Immigration informed that aside screening foreigners who come into the country and monitoring them when they are inside; it is also the duty of the department to ensure the security of Nigerian jobs against foreign poachers. He disclosed that the Service, last year (2016) deported about 50 foreign nationals who were doing jobs which are reserved exclusively for Nigerians.
CG Babandede called on entrepreneurs to invest in labour as they invest in money. He stated that when workers are adequately remunerated it contributes to the security of business and also the general security of the society. He further urged the organized businesses to embark on what he termed ‘return migration’ by bringing back Nigerian experts who have migrated to other lands due to poor remuneration. He regretted that about 25000 Nigerians migrated to Italy last year alone. He wondered why many Nigerians risk their lives in the bid to leave country adding that there is no reason for that. He affirmed that opportunities for success abound in the country.
