FG introduces temporary passports for Nigerians abroad

The Federal Government on Monday inaugurated an electronic temporary passport to replace the emergency travel certificate for effective identity management.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said in Abuja that the temporary passport was an electronic document with all the features of a regular passport.

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According to Aregbesola, the difference is that it is temporary and valid for one trip and will be retrieved from the user at the entry point.

“The temporary passport is ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) compliant and is valid for only 30 days.

“It’s a replacement for the hitherto emergency travel certificate issued to Nigerians in emergency situations where their passports were not available and had the need to travel to Nigeria.

“This new document is not a replacement for the Nigerian passport; it’ll only serve a temporary purpose in the case of loss or misplacement of the Nigerian passport by a Nigerian abroad.

“In the light of the present security challenges faced by the country, the temporary passport will no doubt help to checkmate the excess of criminal elements that takes advantage of the ETC to infiltrate the country,” he said.

The minister further assured Nigerians having difficulties with obtaining the Nigerian passport that the challenge would soon end. (NAN)