From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
As drug traffickers and other criminals intensify their operations, federal government has said that it has mounted e-gates at the five airports to ensure that criminals do not escape at the point of entry and arrival.
While inspecting the command and control centre at the international wing of Abuja Airport, Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo assured that the project would be concluded next month given the satisfactory level of work done.
According to him, 70 per cent work has been done and in the next three weeks, the project would be delivered.
Besides flagging the criminals, the technology will fasten passengers’ clearance time at arrival and so reduce interface with the immigration officers.
“Generally, I think we are on the right track towards giving Nigerians a renewed hope. I think with the command and control centre we are 70 per cent ready. I learnt that all the equipment are ready including the servers and the contractor has given me his word that in the next three weeks the job will be 100 per cent ready. It means that the e-immigration project, the automation of border control system is on course. Nigerians are about to have a new experience indeed.
“Above all, the immigration service is ready. It contributes a quota to national security architecture. As I always say, immigration service is an integral part of national security. As a security organisation, the efficiency of the service goes a long way to determine how secure the country will be and with what we have seen immigration service has decided to adopt the technology.
“Immigration service has automated its operations and in doing this, in line with global best practice, Nigerians can be sure that a more secured Nigeria under the leadership of our amiable president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is coming to life. And of course Nigerians will be able to sleep with their two eyes closed knowing full well that their border will be well protected; the Nigerian state will be secured,” the minister explained.
Speaking after the inspection, the minister noted that while 10 gates would be installed in Abuja, 17 will be installed in Lagos—–eight in the D wing, eight in the E wing and one in the private wing in Lagos, making 17. Then about five in Kano, four in Enugu and four in Port Harcourt.
“And I’m happy that once this is completed Nigerians will no longer be at the mercy of immigration officers or anybody when they arrive the country because as you can see, it’s a matter of putting your passport. We scan your passport, open the gate and we read your facials, your biometric. If it records you, you leave. You don’t need to have an encounter with any immigration officer again unless you are a person of interest.
“This is not only for you to pass at a record time. It’s also to secure the nation. It also adds another layer to our national security architecture. If it’s a person on the watchlist the person can easily be flagged,” he said
On the completion date, he stated that the entire job would be delivered by Match adding that in next three weeks, he would pay another visit to the site.
“We are working towards Match. I hope we will be able to deliver by match. Not just Abuja, we are looking at delivering about 17 in Lagos. eight in the D wing, eight in the E wing and one in the private wing in Lagos making 17. Then about five in Kano, four in Enugu and four in Port Harcourt because I believe that you don’t need to come through Abuja for you to enjoy sweet experience. Whenever you come into Nigeria the sweet experience must not be discriminatory. And that is the Renewed Hope under Bola Ahmed Tinubu is all about,” he further explained.
“If you will recall we promised Nigerians a sweet experience. It’s an exciting arrival to the country. So, we came to look at the e-gate. It’s presently being done and to look at the progress of work. I am happy that you can see the 10 gates that are to be installed in Abuja. Four had been installed. From the assurances given by the contractors the remaining 6 will be installed before the end of the month
“I’m happy with the progress of work that had been done. All I said is that the plan was for 8. They planned for 8 and I said 8 is not acceptable to me that they have to increase it by 2 to make it 10 so that at least so that the waiting period by passengers will be minimal. It will easy for passengers to clear and looking at what has been tested, I think it’s 30 seconds to clear an individual which is a record time anywhere in the world. I am happy with the quality of work. I am happy with the prospect of giving Nigerians a sweet experience. And I’m happy that once this is completed Nigerians will no longer be at the mercy of immigration officers or anybody when they arrive to the country because as you can see, it’s a matter putting your passport. We scan your passport, opens the gate and we read your facials , your biometric. If it records you you leave. You don’t need to have an encounter with any immigration officer again unless you are a person of interest because this whole is not only for you to pass at a record time. It’s also to secure the nation.its also adds another layer to our national security architecture. If it’s a person on the watchlist the person can easily be flagged.
“We are working towards March. I hope we will be able to deliver by match. Not just Abuja, we are looking at delivering about 16 in Lagos. 8 in the D wing. 8 in the E wing and one in the private wing in Lagos making 17. Then about 5 in Kano, 4 in Enugu and 4 in ph because I believe that you don’t need to come through Abuja for you to enjoy sweet experience. Whenever you come into Nigeria the sweet experience must not be discriminatory for . And that is the Renewed Hope under Bola Ahmed Tinubu is all about.”