The Rivers State Passport Office of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has devised means of checking all forms of malpractices and extortion in processing international passport. 
The Tide’s investigation revealed that since February 2020 when the passport office relocated from its former place at the Federal Secretariat to a new place, opposite Abali Park on Port Harcourt-Aba Road, it has recorded less cases of extortion. 
The new office was donated to the NIS by the Rivers State Government. 
The Tide observed, during a visit to the passport office recently, that a security officer implanted with a body camera was stationed at the entrance leading to the passport office to monitor every movement and transaction within and around the passport office. 
The new method, according to investigation, was to check unnecessary loitering, touting, extortion and all forms of malpractices that are commonly associated with the procurement of international passports nationwide. 
The Tide’s investigation further revealed that all applications, processes and payment for international passport are now done online without the interference of passport officers. 
Mrs Loveth Eshu who travelled all the way from Ogoja in Cross River State to process her enhanced travelling passport in Port Harcourt told The Tide that although coming from Cross River to Port Harcourt to process passport was stressful, she hailed the online process in the Port Harcourt office as orderly and stress free. 
“Honestly speaking, the way they process the passport in Port Harcourt is orderly and stress free. Everything is now online. I love it. 
“But I must confess that it is not easy travelling all the way from Ogoja to come and process my travelling document in Port Harcourt,” she said.
The Public Relations Officer, Passport Office, Port Harcourt, Mr. Rufus Apollo, confirmed that the passport office now captures its day-to-day activities with implanted cameras. 
The PRO, however, admitted that the allegations of touting and extortion were rampant when the passport office was at the Federal Secretariat but was quick to add that since the office moved to its present location in February last year, it has not recorded any case of extortion. 
He also confirmed that the Port Harcourt passport office had from last month adhered to the directives of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to henceforth process passport online as well as issue passport to applicants within six weeks of application.

By: Boye Salau