How we reduced passport racketeering in Lagos – Aregbesola

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has disclosed how measures adopted have helped in reducing the menace of international passport racketeering in Lagos State.

Advertisement

Aregbesola, who disclosed this at the weekend, said the measures adopted also helped to reduce congestion and over-stretching of existing facilities.

According to the Minister, the creation of additional passport centres in Ikoyi, Festac,  Alausa and Amuwo Odofin substantially reduced passport racketeering.

He, however, lamented that despite the measures, some Nigerians preferred to follow illegal routes to obtain the documents.

The Minister made the remarks while receiving officials of the Professional Statisticians Society of Nigeria in his office.

The body was led by its president, Professor Waheed Yahya.

Aregbesola identified statistical data analysis and its scientific use as necessary for the successful implementation of government programmes and policies and effective service delivery.

He explained in a statement signed by the Director of Press in the Ministry, Afonja Ajibola, that his knowledge and use of statistical data tremendously helped him as an active player at different levels of administration in life.

The minister regretted that given the government intervention in passport issuance, it was unfortunate that many who do not want to follow laid down rules and procedures still land themselves in the hands of unscrupulous people who extort money from them.

”I find statistics useful and result-oriented; and I recommend it to industrialists, entrepreneurs, politicians, leaders of communities, local governments, states and nations.

“It is at the federal level that there is substantial interest in statistics in the country,” Aregbesola said.

Yahya said their organisation is a body of professional statisticians with responsibility for engaging in statistical research capable of assisting policymakers in government, industries and non-governmental organizations in the development of the nation.

He further said they also train and mentor younger ones in the field of statistical research in the country.

Yahya disclosed that the purpose of the visit was to congratulate the minister on the series of transformations he brought to the Ministry of Interior, and further explore possible areas of cooperation as a lover of statistics.