There are growing concerns about a potential shortage of e-passport booklets due to a significant production debt incurred by the Federal Government.
As reported by Leadership, the situation has arisen because of the non-payment of a substantial debt owed to vendors and key stakeholders involved in the e-passport production chain.
A senior official at the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters, quoted in the report, highlighted that the revenue collected from passport applicants is deposited into the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Treasury Single Account (TSA).
However, the government deducts 50% as net income before the funds are available to the NIS, leaving insufficient funds to pay vendors and stakeholders involved in the passport production process.
For instance, the cost of a 32-page passport booklet outside Nigeria is $132, while a 64-page booklet costs $230.
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Funds collected from applicants are directed to the Federal Account, which is shared among the three tiers of government monthly by the Federation Account Committee (FAAC).
Currently, there is a shortage of 32-page booklets at passport outlets both within and outside Nigeria, with an excess of 64-page booklets due to lower demand.
The NIS owes service providers over N16 billion, leading to booklets being stuck in warehouses as suppliers demand payment before releasing them.
Manufacturers in Slovenia, Malaysia, and Malta, handling the e-passport projects, are awaiting reimbursement as per the agreement to settle payments within two weeks after printing and supplying the e-passports.
