The Bayelsa State Government on Wednesday announced that, acquisition of the new 64 page electronic passport would be at no cost to its workers as part of efforts to promote their welfare.
Governor Seriake Dickson stated this at the Nigeria Immigration Service in Yenagoa, while flagging off the new electronic passport exercise, that was recently launched by the Federal Government.
He emphasized that, the move was part of the welfare package for civil servants and would assist them travel outside the shores of the country, especially to embark on pilgrimages and other purposes.
In his words: “We have a robust policy which would be implemented very soon. All workers in the civil service in Bayelsa State will have their e-passports at no cost to them so that when the need arises they can travel out; they can go on pilgrimage and use it for other purposes. And it will also support the institutions and systems that we are building.”
Governor Dickson remarked that the modalities would be worked out between the Nigeria Immigration Service and the office of the Bayelsa State Head of Service, stressing that the various ministries would take turns in assisting workers acquire the passport from the service.
The Governor also urged all officials of government as well as people of the stateto take advantage of the newly introduced electronic passport, which took effect from the 1st of last month.
Governor Dickson, who issued a new e-passport at the occasion, said he was impressed with the process as it took less than 5 minutes to obtain one andcommended the service for the reforms undertaken to enhance service delivery.
Highlighting some of the features of the new e-passport, the Comptroller of Immigration Service, Bayelsa Command, Suleman Wunti, said the document is durable and gender-friendly.
