Ime Akpan
The comptroller general of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mohammad Babandede has said that holders of the new enhanced Electronic International Passport which has 64 pages and a 10-year validity period will pay N70, 000 in Nigeria and $230 abroad for the document.
Speaking after the unveiling of the document by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja yesterday, Babandede said also the new passport with 32 pages will cost N25, 000 and $130 abroad; the 64 pages with five years expiration time will cost N35, 000 and $150 abroad.
He explained that the new passport has enhanced features, which will make it easier for security management adding that there are 25 differences between the old and the new e-passport.
The immigration chief who said the issuance of the new passport will commence in February also said “the old and new passport will work concurrently until they are gradually replaced.”
Also speaking, the minister of interior, Mr. Abdulrahman Dambazau said apart from the 10-year validity, the new passport had an enhanced and self-tracking application.
He said the new passport meets the specifications of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
“Now, things are dynamic and International Civil Aviation Organisation also brought up additional security features, which we have to comply with as early as possible for various reasons.
“We have series of cross border issues to deal with and series of challenges in terms of border security and management and one of the best ways to do that in addition to biometrics, is to ensure that our passport contains all these security features,” he said.
He added that the passport is weather friendly and has polycarbonate technology, which eliminates damage, it also saves Nigerians in the diaspora the time needed to frequently visit Nigerian embassies in search of new passports.
“The new passport reform programme is weather friendly, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) compliant, it has polycarbonate technology that eliminates damage, enhanced security features and save Nigerians in the Diaspora time of frequent visit to Nigerian Embassy among others,” he added.
Babandede and Dambazau had earlier presented new 10-year diplomatic passport to Buhari and the vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Officials of NIS had earlier captured the biometrics of the president and the vice president shortly before the commencement of an extraordinary meeting of the federal executive council inside the council chamber of the presidential villa.
The meeting was held instead of Wednesday, to enable the president participate in the All Progressives Congress (APC) rallies in Edo and Delta states on today.
