Group flays FG’s 42 percent passport processing fee increment

The Centre for human and socio-economic rights (CHSR) has urged the federal government to back down on its alleged decision, to increase charges on passport procurement by 42 percent.

CHSR in a statement signed by its National President Comrade Alex Omotehinse, queried the rationale behind the increment not minding the harsh economic realities Nigerians had to put up with daily.

The group demands that government directs the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to maintain the old charges.

“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.”

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Describing the development as uncalled-for, undemocratic and unacceptable and another way of inflicting more hardship on the citizens considering the economic situation in the country, CHSR tasks Federal Government on ensuring the welfare of Nigerians.

“CHSR wishes to unequivocally states that the recent announcement of the 42% 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.”