ABUJA (Min of Interior) – The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior, Barr. Georgina Ekeoma Ehuria, has revealed that the Ministry is set to partner various government key Institutions and Agencies to improve the expatriate quota processing, in the country.
This was made known at a one day Stakeholders Meeting on Expatriate Quota Administration held in Abuja recently.
According to her, arrangements have been concluded to electronically link the Ministry’s portal with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Central Bank of Nigeria, with a view to reducing, the incidences of fake quota positions, adding that the process will also eliminate the use of forged documents to process business permit and expatriate quota.
She informed participants at the meeting that the quota played key role in the economy and it is granted to companies to enable them employ foreigners with specialised skills that are not readily available in the country or are in short supply.
Barr. Georgina Ekeoma Ehuria further revealed that approval was recently granted by the appropriate authority for the re-validation of Expatriate Quota on Permanent Until Reviewed (PUR) status. She said, this will enable the Ministry update its records, ascertain proper utilisation by companies and continued eligibility of beneficiaries.
She informed that directives had been given that a machinery be put in place for the review of the handbook on expatriate quota administration which was last revised in 2004; she explained that the stakeholders meeting was in furtherance of the Ministry’s mandate as it relates to the administration and enforcement of the Nigeria Immigration Act, 2015 and Immigration Regulations, 2017.
While speaking earlier, the Associate Director, People Advisory Service, Mr. Kayode Faboyede, said that the meeting was the right step in the right direction as the automation of the expatriate quota process has made life easier and seamless for stakeholders.z
SIGNED
Mohammed Manga
Director (Press & Public Relations)
For: Permanent Secretary
