The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammed Babandede, has warned Nigerians to stop paying cash at all NIS passports offices.
The Immigrations Boss made this known while commissioning a live public chatroom and the resuscitation of the SERVICOM, (Service Compact With Nigerians), a call centre that was gutted by fire in early January in Abuja.
Babandede noted that the cash dealings in the passports process have been a major source of corruption among undisciplined personnel, and because of this, the agency no longer receive cash payments for any of its services.
Furthermore, he stated that the agency has brought in a number of innovations including e-business whereby the entire passports process is done online including payment for services rendered.
“Today, any customer can make payment for any of our services with his or her phone because we have simplified the process therefore, don’t come to our passports offices with cash, this will reduce corruption.
“We have a more efficient communication and chat line that encourages Nigerians to reach us directly with any of their complaints and enquiries and we will respond immediately, it is real-time.
“We have improved our payment processes and eliminated too many fillings of forms and have also fashioned an appointment system whereby customers don’t have to go to any passports office and stay all day waiting, instead, you only come on an appointment, get attended to and leave without wasting your time.” Babandede said.
