ICPC recommends expertise in combat towards alleged corruption in Nigeria Immigration Service

The Unbiased Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Fee (ICPC) has beneficial expertise within the combat towards alleged corruption in Nigeria Immigration Service.

The ICPC expressed concern over alleged recruitment fraud, unethical practices in passport processing, and misconduct in port operations, throughout the NIS operations.

This was disclosed by the ICPC  in an announcement on Friday, highlighting its recommendations and proposals on the two-day nationwide sensitization marketing campaign held on the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, themed “Elevated Digitization and Consolidated Improvements for Environment friendly and Clear Companies”. 

Nairametrics beforehand reported that the Comptroller Common of the NIS, Kemi Nandap, had on the occasion, reaffirmed the Service’s dedication to combating corruption and enhancing service supply via digital transformation.

She acknowledged this on Thursday, disclosing that the company is leveraging revolutionary applied sciences such because the Contactless Passport Utility System and the soon-to-be-launched e-Visa platform to boost effectivity, cut back bureaucratic bottlenecks, and curb corrupt practices.

ICPC’s Views and Suggestions to NIS 

Talking on the ceremony, the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN—represented by the Fee’s Spokesperson, Mr. Demola Bakare, —highlighted “key areas of concern, together with recruitment fraud, unethical practices in passport processing, and misconduct in port operations.” 

• He underscored the pivotal position of expertise in combating corruption and enhancing service supply throughout the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
• Bakare counseled NIS for its strides in enhancing effectivity and transparency via digitization and anti-corruption initiatives however emphasised the necessity to strengthen cybersecurity for recruitment portals additional, restructure the efficiency administration system (PMS), and strictly implement commonplace working procedures (SOPs), notably at border entry factors.

The ICPC beneficial “introducing an official administrative value on passport functions to curb unlawful facilitation charges whereas enhancing workers welfare.” 

• Referring to the NIS’ latest Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS) score, he acknowledged that the Service’s development from non-compliance in 2023 to partial compliance in 2024 is famous,  nonetheless, there stays important room for enchancment.

• He referred to as for the enhancement of the whistleblower mechanism and strict enforcement of penalties for corruption-related offenses as vital measures to boost  NIS operations and make it extra environment friendly.

“The last word purpose of any anti-corruption initiative is to make sure efficient public service supply.” 

“Until residents start to expertise significant, optimistic modifications of their day by day interactions with public establishments, it is going to be tough to realize their full assist for anti-corruption reforms.”, he pressured.

• The ICPC boss inspired NIS to leverage expertise not just for operational effectivity but in addition for larger accountability whereas making certain that the reforms end in tangible enhancements for Nigerians.

He pressured that the efficient use of Anti-Corruption Expertise (ACT) will improve residents’ welfare and contribute to attaining nationwide targets of fine governance.

What it’s best to know  

On the occasion, the NIS DG highlighted a number of improvements being applied by the NIS, to attenuate corruption and restore public confidence.

• She talked about the Passport Automation Programme, Contactless Passport Utility Course of, E-Gates, Physique Cameras, and E-Visas.
• Nairametrics recollects that the NIS had introduced the contactless renewal system in October final 12 months with plans to first roll it out on November 1 in Canada and Nigeria final December.
• Nonetheless, the launch of the initiative didn’t occur in Nigeria till February this 12 months.
• Regardless of this, many Nigerians who’ve downloaded the NIS cellular app have been complaining about their incapability to finish the method on-line, with many getting stalled after creating their profile.

The initiative, designed to simplify and modernize the passport renewal course of, permits Nigerians to use for passport renewals on-line, decreasing the necessity for in-person visits to NIS workplaces.

In keeping with the NIS, with this contactless system, people would be capable of apply to resume their worldwide passports from the consolation of their properties with out having to go to any NIS workplace.