The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has expressed its readiness to partner Anambra State Government in carrying out proper registration of foreigners in the state.

Addressing journalists in Awka the state capital after a brief meeting with Governor Willie Obiano, the state Controller of Immigration, Mrs. Tochukwu Agwai, said that the service had commenced registration of all foreigners, adding that the exercise would be properly monitored.

While calling on foreigners to go to the commission’s office in Awka for documentation, she announced that the exercise would end in January.

According to her, at the end of the registration, it would become an offence for foreigners to stay in the state without proper formal registration with Immigration Service.

“There is an ongoing e-registration and documentation throughout the state now for all non-Nigerians residing in Anambra State. Foreigners are encouraged to use the opportunity to register before it closes in January,” she said.

On the issue of shortage of passport booklets, the state Immigration controller said that the headquarters of the commission had finalised plans to localise the production of International passports in the country.

Agwai explained that the initial shortage of booklet challenge faced by travelers was because they were produced abroad.

She urged travelers seeking for international passports and other travel documents to stop patronising travel agents but rather process their documents through the service to avoid mistakes.

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