By: Emma Nnadi
Socially relevant, and service oriented Non-governmental organization, Centre for human and socio-economic rights (CHSR) has condemned what it described as”unwarranted 42 percent increase in passport processing”, calling on the government to immediately reverse the policy in the interest of good governance.
The group said the action was undemocratic and unacceptable as it is another way of inflicting more hardship on the citizens despite what they are passing through at the moment.
In a statement made available to newsman in Lagos on Thursday by Comrade Alex Omotehinse
President CHSR, the group demanded that the federal government should immediately revert to the old charges and mandate the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to maintain the status quo.
The statement reads in part”
“CHSR wishes to unequivocally state that the recent announcement of the 42 percent increase in the procurement of passport by the federal government is uncalled-for, undemocratic and unacceptable as it is another way of inflicting more hardship on the citizens considering the economic situation in the country.
“Nigerians are currently faced with the challenges of high cost of living occasioned by the scarcity of fuel which had led to the return of long queues at different petrol stations.
“The federal government should be more concerned about incentives that will enhance the welfare of the people as well as addressing the worsening insecurity in the country.
“This is not the time to inflict more hardship on the people but to help Nigerians cope with the difficult challenges of survival.
“CHSR, as a matter of urgency, demand that the federal government should immediately revert to the old charges and mandate the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to maintain the status quo.”
CHSR is registered as a corporate body to defend, sustain and promote the fundamental human and socio-economic rights of all Nigerians as guaranteed by the Nigeria constitution.
