*Begins installation of 30 seconds biometric verification e-gates at Abuja airport

The federal government has said that Nigerians will no longer be at the mercy of immigration officers, who often extort the public at various points including the international passengers across airports.

The Minister of Interior, Dr.Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stated this while inspecting the ongoing installation of ten thirty seconds biometrics electronic gates, (e-gates), at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, yesterday in Abuja.

He said installation of the e-gates is to clear international passengers in record time thereby, reducing unnecessary clearance delay and increase layers of security checks especially at point of entry.

“I’m happy with the prospect of giving Nigerians a sweet experience and I am happy that once this is completed, Nigerians will no longer be at the mercy of Immigration officers or anybody. The e-gates will ensure the waiting period by passengers is very minimal, the more the e-gates, then the easier it will be for passengers to be cleared.

“We promised Nigerians a sweet experience and an exciting arrival and I am happy that of the ten gates that are to be installed in Abuja, four have been installed and from assurances given by the contractor, the remaining six will be delivered before the end of the month.

“Looking at the one that has been tested, I learnt that it takes about 30 seconds to clear an individual, which is a record anywhere in the world and I looked at the hardware so I am happy with the level of work that had been done.

The minister also said that Nigerians will soon be able to go bed with their two eyes closed as stringent measures are being implemented to secure all national borders from undesired elements infiltration.

He said “The immigration service is an integral part of national security and is a security organisation; hence, the efficiency of the service goes a long way to determine how secure the country will be and with what we’ve seen, the service has decided to adopt technology in border protection and has automated it’s operations in line with global best practices.

“Nigerians can therefore be assured of a more secured country under our amiable President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and by the grace of God Nigerians will be able to sleep with their two eyes closed very soon knowing fully well that their borders will be well protected and Nigerians will be very proud to be called Nigerians.

“The e-immigration and automation of border control systems project is on course and Nigerians are about to have a new experience. The immigration service is ready to contribute her quarter to national security architecture.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo who also inspected the technology room at the NIS headquarters, charged immigration personnel to up their game in border surveillance, as this has a huge impact on national security and the safety of their colleagues manning the borders.