Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has opposed the Bank Verification Number (BVN) as a condition for obtaining the new e-passport.
Speaking on Tuesday at the roll-out of the enhanced international e-passport in Port Harcourt, Wike criticised the initiative of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), saying it would create problems for families.
“I was surprised when I was told to present my Bank Verification Number (BVN). Assuming I want to travel with my one-year-old child, does it mean my child cannot travel with me because he does not have a bank account?” he said.
“I don’t know how the BVN has become a factor in the issuance of international passport. That is not acceptable. If this is the only way to check corruption, then we have failed.
“As a governor, you know my salary; you know my account and this can be collected from the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). It is not hidden.”
Wike, however, praised the NIS for introducing the e-passport with 10-year validity, saying it would help in acquiring long-term visas.
“Introducing the e-passport is laudable because of its improved security features and others. The 10-year validity will afford people the opportunity to have longer visas,” he said.
Wike praised the State Comptroller of Immigration, Segun Adegoke, for starting the issuance in Port Harcourt, and appealed to the people to take advantage of the facility to obtain theirs.
Passport Officer A.J Umoh said the e-passport has new security features such as multi-laser image, pre-printed features, ultra-violet light, infrared, laser engraving, and is approved by International Civil Aviation Organisation.
