NIS begins urgent issuance of international passports

Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has commenced massive issuance of international passports to intending travellers to clear the backlog of applications caused by non-availability of booklets.A source told newsmen in Lagos that the NIS recently took delivery of new passport booklets which have been distributed to all passport offices nationwide.Reports in the past have shown that many intending travelers have had difficulties obtaining international passports since the beginning of the year due to non-availability of passport booklets.It was learnt that the immigration high command also directed all passport offices to extend their working hours to 2 p.m. on Saturdays in order to clear the backlog of passport applications.“Our working hours have been extended to Saturdays; we now work from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.“The extension is to enable us treat the backlog of international passport requests by Nigerians,’’ a senior Passport Officer told newsmen in Ikoyi, Lagos.Explaining the backlog, the immigration officer said that the backlog was due to scarcity of foreign exchange as the booklets, according to him, were printed in Malaysia.He assured that the extended working hours would enable the service to clear the backlog within a short period.“We are sure all matters relating to request and collection of international passports will be resolved in due course,’’ he further