ABUJA - Amazing disclosures which characterised 2012 Budget defence by federal ministries, departments and agencies at the National Assembly are unabated as more startling facts emerge.
In an interface with the NASS Joint Committee on Interior, Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs. Rose Uzoma disclosed how in 2011 fiscal year, the total revenue was N10,333,230,162.77, but remitted paltry N3.4 billion to the federation account.
Fielding questions from the federal lawmakers, the Immigration boss explained that the revenue amount comprised N8,192,717,842.77 and off-shore earnings of US$13,378,206 (N2,140,512,320).
This is even as the minister of interior, Mr. Abba Moro, announced that despite the presidential nation-wide broadcast of reducing federal overheads and ministersí salaries by 10% and 25% respectively, no circular to that effect has been issued.
Speaking further, the Immigration Comptroller General put unit production cost of Nigerian International Passport booklet at N4,900 but sold to the citizens at N8,750 leaving a profit margin of N3,850 out of which, N1,250 is paid as technology fees to “revenue collection partners”.
She continued that the remainder of N2,600 was the remittance they made to the federation account, adding that in the year ending, 2011, a total of 722,327 Nigerian International Passports were issued to the citizens.
Apparently dissatisfied, the panel co-chairmen, Sen.Atiku Bagudu and Rep. Umar Bature called for “comprehensive analysis of the construction of passports in Nigeria and every cost embedded in the gross earnings, saying they should report back on Monday (30/01/12).
Also addressing the NASS panel, the minister of interior, Mr. Moro, bemoaned the transfer of certain government agencies which was making it difficult for them to operate.
He the joint committee that although the present regime was studying the situation, the removal of Police affairs and Customs Service from the Interior ministry had limited their internal security assignment.
The minister further canvassed adequate funding to enable them procure certain instruments that would enhance the border surveillance, stressing that at the moment there were no defined border spots such as plaza or posts to determine immigration and emigration of persons and goods.
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