The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Europe (NIDO-Europe), Italy Chapter, says about 1.5 million out of its 3 million registered members in Italy are affected by scarcity of Nigerian passports.
George Omo-Iduhon, the chairman of the chapter, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria Monday while reflecting on the activities of NIDOE in Europe and Italy.
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He said there were more Nigerians in Italy than in other European countries and the registered Nigerians according to database were 3 million asides undocumented ones.
He said the organisation was committed to growing Nigeria’s economy, adding that members must try their best to return home to build Nigeria.
According to him, most Nigerians in Italy have legitimate businesses and Italians have been great hosts to them.
Omo-Iduhon said: “One of the major problems faced by Nigerians living in Italy is a shortage of Nigerian passports that can help facilitate their movement and work permit.
“The Nigerian government should help address this nagging problem because Italy serves as the gateway to other countries in Europe, especially for Nigerians.
“About 1.5 million Nigerians in Italy don’t have passports, even some of those that have been accepted by the Italian government have not been issued Nigerian passports which makes it difficult for them to work,” he said.
He said the supply of 500 booklets of passport to the Nigerian embassy in Italy was grossly inadequate to serve the number of Nigerians resident in Italy.
“Using the same sharing formula for all the counties in Europe cannot work in Italy where we have more Nigerians.
“We’re appealing to the relevant government agencies and our amiable Minister for Internal Affairs, Rauf Aregbesola to help us address this issue.” NAN
