The Nigeria High Commission in London has suspended
biometric capturing for persons interested in applying for the e-passport.
In 2021, the federal government launched the enhanced
e-passport to address issues of forgery and improve the application process.
According to a statement issued by the commission on
Saturday, the biometrics capture was suspended after a meeting to deliberate on
issues surrounding assault of staff members.
The suspension is effective from March 28, 2022.
“At the launch of
Enhanced E-passport operations in London on 23rd November 2021, Nigerians in
the United Kingdom were quite optimistic of improvements in service by the
Immigration Section, on the issuance of Passports,” the statement reads.
“The issuance, renewal, and operations since the
introduction of the new Enhanced E-passport have been fraught with many
challenges, particularly on the issuance of National Identification Number
(NIN) and the appointments for biometrics capture.
“The Mission feels and shares in the pains of teeming
Nigerians since the launching of the new Enhanced E-passport scheme in the
United Kingdom by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
“The staff of the
High Commission are currently being assaulted on regular basis on account of
attendant frustrations, particularly by Nigerians who travel long distances
from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, etc., to the
Mission in London without positive resolution of their respective consular
issues.
“Nigerians with dual citizenship desirable of renewing their
British Passports and those seeking the issuance of British Resident Permit
(BRP) are also usually on edge because of the inability of the Mission to
resolve their legitimate needs and requirements.
“The meeting deliberated extensively on the current
challenges associated with the issuance of passports as enumerated above and
agreed that drastic actions must be taken to bring succour to Nigerians in the
UK. A stitch in time saves nine.
“The leadership of the Nigeria High Commission remains
responsive to the needs and welfare of Nigerians in the United Kingdom.
Consequently, the biometrics capture on the new Enhanced E-Passport at the
Nigeria High Commission in London is hereby suspended with effect from Monday,
28th March 2022, until these challenges are resolved, in the interest of the
Nigerian Community in the United Kingdom.
“Whilst we regret the
inconveniences the suspension may cause, the Emergency Travel Certificate
window and visas for British-Nigerians are available as a stop-gap measure.”
In 2020, the commission had suspended passport processing to
limit exposure of staff and applicants to the coronavirus.
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