The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) have mapped out strategies to reduce delays and improve the time for passport collection by Nigerians.
The postmaster general of the Federation/CEO of NIPOST, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Sunday Adepoju made this known recently when he led his Management team on a working visit to the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Caroline Wura- Ola Adepoju, at the Service Command Headquarters, Sauka, Abuja.
The postmaster general noted that the collaboration has become imperative following an integrated service delivery model by NIPOST that incorporated various government services and information which will be provided to citizens in a one-stop shop environment using several channels to meet different needs of the citizens at selected Post office location Nationwide.
Under this arrangement the NIS will utilise NIPOST infrastructure for the collection of Passport and adopting the postal network as an e- Fulfillment centre for enhancing the digital economy.
Adepoju added that the roles and responsibilities of the development are for a sustainable and integrated framework for the process of e- Passport, provide courier services and Address verification validation that will harmonize the various e- government initiative in the agency, as well as consolidate NIPOST efforts to reaffirm productivity synergy with NIS.
In her response, The Ag. CG commended the NIPOST for the remarkable development of an Address Verification System as a major breakthrough for identity management, indicating that NIPOST AVS is a major initiative for forensic crime management.
She commended NIPOST also for developing a standardized Digital Postcode System which will aid the agency in issuing Nigerian Passports, adding that the service will strengthen the partnership and cultivate strategic methods to help fulfil the mandate to Nigerians.
According to her, the “collaboration will address the issues facing Nigerians while seeking to register for Passports, reduce the waiting period before biometric data capture, and make Passport processing seamless and faster thereby assuaging the pains Nigerians go through to obtain Nigerian passport”.
The postmaster general and the Ag. CG also agreed to develop a framework for the working relationship going forward.
