The Management of Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS Imo state Command say it “…will not tolerate any form of corruption and will take bold steps at Sanctioning erring officers”

This was made known by the
Imo state command Comptroller of Immigration Service, Mr Patrick
Ebegbune while flagging off Nationwide Sensitization campaign on “mitigating Corruption and improving service delivery in Nigeria immigration service which took place at the command headquarters, Federal Secretariat, new Owerri Imo state.

He pointed out that the sensitization Campaign was jointly facilitated by the immigration service two special units which include Servicom and Anti-Corruption Transparent Unit (ACTU) that have the mandate of ensuring qualitative services and a corruption free NIS respectively.

The Imo state Comptroller reaffirmed the utmost commitment of the officers and men to a corruption free Nigeria Immigration service under the watch of the Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nanna, PCC, MNIS, FSM.

He also stated that in recognition of the renewed hope agenda of Mr President, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GFCR, for a business friendly environment, the NIS is poised to play it’s part to achieve corruption free NIS.

He thereafter, strongly advised the officers of immigration service not to be involved in any corrupt practices as anyone caught shall roundly face the music.

Mr Ebegbune commended the Comptroller General, Mrs Nanna for approving the mounting of the campaign and assured that she will not be disappointed by the officers.

Speaking, the representative of the comptroller, General Supt. Maureen Eluwa said that the CGS is worried about corruption and service delivery in all the commands of the Immigration service throughout the federation.

She therefore advised all the officers and men of the Immigration service to ensure optimum service delivery is achieved and maintained throughout the commands in the federation.

The Comptroller General commended the Imo state Command Comptroller for the effective implementation of the program in Imo state.

In his address, the Assistant Comptroller in charge of Anti-Corruption and Transparent Unit of the Imo Command Mr Uchendu Achi called on members of the public who seek the services of the Immigration to consider corruption as a taboo,

advised the members of the public not to patronize touts but make their transactions directly with the scheduled officers of the Immigration.

Mr Achi pointed out that the command has a website now which International passport seekers can access to obtain their passport and stated that those who can not make use of their facility should come directly to their office where they will be properly attended to.

The representative of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC Asst. Commissioner Mrs Egbeocha Chinwe disclosed that corruption is using official position for an undue advantage and in NIS it amounts to extortion of members of the public who seek their services.

She consequently advised the officers to shun corruption and at all times try to maintain high positive reputation for NIS.

She cautioned the officers to try to always live within their means and resources in order to avoid temptation of engaging in corrupt practices.

Mrs Egbeocha encouraged the officers to extend cautious treatment to any one who comes to their office to obtain their services.

She called for the training and retraining of Immigration officers and pointed out the need for them to maintain high ethical standards in the discharge of their duties.

Assistant Comptroller of Immigration Mr Sylva Anukam in charge of the servicom who spoke in Igbo language in order to drive home the message of the campaign explained the details of the programme to the members of the public.

The campaign which attracted large turn out of sister agencies and government officials witnessed presentation and goodwill messages by Nigeria fire service, Nigeria security and civil defense corps and Nigeria correctional service.

In his vote of thanks, Deputy Comptroller of the Immigration Imo State Command ,Mr Boniface Uwagbuo thanked all those who attended the event and promised that a new immigration service is possible.

The programme was rounded up with a road walk by the officers and men of the command to further derive home the message of the campaign.