By Godspower Eguasa
The new Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Edo State Command, Uba Waziri, has commended the efforts of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in repositioning the state command of the service to drive efficient and effective service delivery to the citizens and residents of Edo State.
Waziri, accompanied by other top management officials of the NIS, Edo State, gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the Edo State Government House, on Thursday 17th May 2023.
He said: “I am happy to be in your presence, having assumed duty as Comptroller of Immigration Service, Edo State Command, on Thursday 25th February 2023. The courtesy call would have been earlier but for the activities of the 2023 general elections which I believe that Your Excellency was also involved in. This is a rare privilege and I cherish it.
“Your Excellency let me start by thanking you as the Governor of Edo State for all the infallible support you have given and continue to give to the Nigeria Immigration Service.
“Only recently, you approved the award of the contract for the construction of another passport office at Auchi for the State command. This is in fulfillment of your promise”.
Appreciating the Governor’s approval for the state command headquarters to be connected to Ossiomo Power, Waziri said: “Your Excellency, also, during the last security council meeting, you graciously approved that our command headquarters be connected to the Ossiomo Power Plant for adequate power supply. This will aid us in efficient and effective service delivery to members of the public. I say a big thank you sir.
“On behalf of the comptroller generally, the management and team, indeed officers and men of the service in general, and in particular, Edo State command, I say a very big thank you”.
Waziri while highlighting major challenges faced by the State command of the NIS, solicited continuous support from Edo State Government in surmounting the challenges, noting that quality services can only be driven by a conducive and work-friendly environment.
He noted: “Like Oliver twist, I humbly wish to ask for more. Your Excellency, one of the greatest challenges we have as a command is the lack of a conducive environment to operate. The lack of a conducive environment will not enable us deliver our services efficiently and effectively to members of the public. Moreover, we share the place with the Nigerian Army. Only last week, we had a minor fire incident at the command premises. I believe it is due to the porosity of that area.
“It is on this note that I want to plead with your excellency to as well provide Edo State Command, a plot of land in a good location for building, not only immigration state command, but immigration village that will cover both the command and the zonal office”.
Obaseki while commending the Edo NIS team who are also members of the Edo State Security Council, for their immense support and cooperation thus far, in tackling security issues in the state, assured them of the state’s continuous support and collaboration in driving sustainable development and ensuring security in the state.
Obaseki said: “You are in the State Security Council, so, you know many things that we are doing as it relates to security and how you fit in. We would always thank you for the support you continue to render not just in terms of immigration-related matters but other security assignments in the state.
We want to welcome you; you must feel at home. We have heard you and would begin to see how we can work with you on most of the issues you have raised. We would look for ways to continue to collaborate and support your activities”.
“Like I promised when I came to join the Minister to commission the e-passport office, we will work with you to see how we can expand your services to other parts of the state”, Obaseki added.
