The Minister of Interior Lt. General Bello Dambazzau (rtd) and British High Commissioner to Nigeria Mr Paul Arkwright on today jointly commissioned a new Immigration Processing Centre (IPC) at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
The commissioning of the IPC by the Minister and the High Commissioner, according to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is to enhance service delivery.
The development is also in agreement with global best practice in modern migration management and in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Nigeria and the United Kingdom June 1, 2005,
The IPC, which was built by the British Government, is part of its support and contribution to further strengthen the robust partnership between the two countries in migration management.
It would also serve as a symbol of the Nigeria and United Kingdom governments’ commitment to respect of human rights of migrant to dignified returns.
Speaking further Dambazau reaffirmed the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to protect the rights of Nigerians wherever they are and promised to improve service delivery to Nigerians in Diaspora, especially in issuance of Passports.
He further stated that the ministry was working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that the global migration crises does not target Nigerians specifically and that the ministry will continue to provide consular assistance to those with legal and medical reasons when it comes to deportation.
On his part, Arkwright reassured Nigeria of British government’s to Buhari administration’s fight against corruption, believing strongly that the success of the war will greatly improve the political and socio-economic life of Nigeria so that the country will take its rightful position among the comity of nations.
The high commissioner also reaffirmed the commitment of Her Majesty Government to the existing migration partnership signed between the two governments in 2005 and that it was based on that the government built the shelter in Lagos.
He expressed optimism that it would provide a temporary relief to returnees and NIS.
The centre apart from enabling a condition for prompt passengers’ clearance by the officials of the NIS, would also offer some comfort to returning passengers, who may stand in need of vital assistance for reintegration with their families upon arrival.
Also speaking at the event, the Comptroller General of the NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede urged officers of the service to ensure proper maintenance of the centre to ensure it achieves the purpose for which it was built.
