The new visa regime will not compromise the overall security and economic considerations of Nigeria, Minister of Interior Abba Moro said in Lagos yesterday.
Delivering a keynote address at the opening of a two-day stakeholders’ conference on Expatriate Quota Administration, Moro said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had graciously granted approvals for the automation project of Citizenship and Business Department of the Ministry and the new visa policy for the Nigeria Immigration Service.
“The move by government underscores the ministry’s determination poised to transform and implement result-oriented programmes in the context of sustainable administration of expatriate quota and strengthening of the nation’s economic base and our national vision.
“The Ministry of Interior has the responsibility of administering and enforcing the provision of the Immigration Act 1963 as they relate to the establishment of business in Nigeria and the employment of expatriate. It also issues business permit and expatriate quota facilities to any interested foreign investor to enable him/her set up business in Nigeria.
“The extant expatriate quota administration is premised on the Nigerianization Policy of the 1970 which was based on the need to protect local industries and the interest of Nigerian citizens in these industries,” he said.
He said the conference will enable his ministry to come up with recommendations to government on the formation of a more robust and contemporary expatriate quota policy that is in line with the international best practice.
No comments:
Post a Comment