The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in partnership with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has partnered to curb illegal migration through the Lagos waterways
In the statement, Dada Jospeh, comptroller of Immigration service in charge of Lagos Seaports and Marine Command visited the Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Braimah Sarat at Marina, Lagos.
The comptroller said the service would fare better in achieving its mandate with a strategic partnership with NIWA.
“We have some challenges on the waterways even though we do patrols. Collaborating with NIWA will guarantee stronger waterway operations.”
Dada explained that even though people had the right to migrate, they had to do it legally.
“We aren’t saying people shouldn’t migrate or japa from Nigeria. Migration is part of life and people have a right to seek greener pastures, but they must do it the right way.They have to get their passports and visas and travel through the appropriate channels,” he added.
He highlighted that several Nigerian ladies who had fallen victim to human trafficking were lured with job offers.
While welcoming the strategic collaborations with NIS, Braimah, Lagos area manager of NIWA said both agencies were working for the common good of Nigeria.
“We expect this collaboration to prohibit illegal migration. Migration is part of life as you observed earlier it fosters tourism, culture and development. Nonetheless, we would assist the NIS in achieving their objective which is that people shouldn’t migrate illegally.”
She added that a lot of passengers board ferries from Marina jetty to Badagry and Port Novo and the agencies don’t know their final destinations nor can they verify their identity, but are open to NIS partnership to carry out migration checks.
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