From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Federal Government has tightened the noose on the issuance of visas to citizens of countries who frustrate Nigerians intending to travel.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said Nigeria could not be offering visas on a platter to nationals of those countries coming to the country to make money while such countries would not reciprocate the gesture to Nigerian travelling public who go to such countries to spend their money.
According to him, a committee has been set up to come up with a report on how best to implement the strategy.
Headed by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Oluwatoyin Akinlade, the minister warned that Nigeria is not a trash and it cannot be treated as such.
“Visa is based on reciprocity anywhere in the world, and that is why we are seriously looking at our visa-on-arrival policy. There is no point allowing someone to enjoy that when he gets to Nigeria, and we don’t enjoy that when we go there
“The committee has about two weeks to submit its report. Once we enforce this principle of reciprocity, people will call us to talk to because most of these people who come to Nigeria come to make money and yet we go to their own countries to spend money. Yet, they make it difficult for Nigerians. We are working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this”, he added.
Meanwhile, the minister has engaged service providers of the ministry to establish more Passport Front Offices according to earlier contractual agreements of his passport reforms,
“Somebody cannot leave in Akoko, and he needs to travel to Akure just for the sake of biometrics. We considered the cost of travelling, the risk of life and the inconveniences. These are the issues we are trying to tackle.
“ So, from next year, we will activate the passport front offices. We are giving our service providers a standing instruction. That you have a contract does not mean you will hold Nigerians down.
“So, we are giving them three months to activate their contracts, after which we will revoke the contracts if they do not deliver to Nigerians. They should put their houses in order and give Nigerians a sweet experience. We are friends to the extent that you defend the nation’s interest. We have told them that”, he said.