Migration Management Key To Economic Growth – Obaseki

• Migration Management Key To Economic Growth – Obaseki

There are about 1, 490 illegal entry point in Nigeria which have been contributing to illegal migration into the country, according to the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, who seeks closure and tight security in order to curb treacherous activities of some illegal migrants.

Obaseki, while declaring open the 2019 Comptroller-General of Immigration’s Annual Conference in Benin-city, Edo State capital, which was themed “‘Migration Management in a Developing Economy; the Role of NIS’, said Nigeria needs to emulate other countries when it comes to border security as it affects the nation’s economy.

He added: “Some of these illegal migrants commit crimes in the country, as some even have the Nigerian voter’s card. It is worthwhile for any country to develop a policy on migration as it is necessary to manage a country’s economy.”

Delivering a paper entitled: ‘Government’s Effort at Curtailing Irregular Migration: The Edo Experience’, Obaseki assured that the State will support policies aimed at reducing illegal migration.

He listed four modalities put in place by the state to combat illegal migration to Europe, which include Returnees Management; Resettlement and Reintegration; Advocacy and Awareness Promotion; Promotion of Human Rights and Development of the state economy.

The State Governor applauded the new security measure put in place by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS); the introduction of the National Biometric Identity Card for Intra-ECOWAS Travel and Biometric Registration of foreign nationals.

Responding, the Comptroller-General of NIS, Muhammad Babandede, commended the Edo State Government for its efforts and commitment in the fight against human trafficking in the state.

“It is not wrong to travel but, what is important is to manage it so that the travellers, the state and federal governments, as well as the destination countries would benefit from migration,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has hinted that the Federal Government is making moves to introduce a better technology for the issuance of the Nigerian Passport that would not require physical contact between the passport seeker and passport provider.