The Federal Government has approved new guidelines for the administration of expatriate quota in Nigeria.
In a statement by the Director of Press in the Ministry of Interior, Blessing Lere-Adams, all stakeholders are to visit the ministry’s website for more information on the current guidelines.
The notice also disclosed that approval had been granted to all companies and organisations, which had been granted Expatriate Quota Positions (EQPs) on Permanent Until Reviewed (PUR) status.
The circular equally explained that the exercise would assist the ministry to ascertain the length of time each PUR instrument had been held, the extent utilisation by respective organisations, adding that it will facilitate the assessment of the continued eligibility of holders while repositioning the management of the instrument for greater efficiency and effectiveness.
It added that all companies and organisations that have been granted PUR facilities should submit clear copies of their letters of approval from January 24 to February 28, 2022.
Also, it is now mandatory that all users of services provided by the Citizenship and Business Department of the ministry are to submit monthly returns on the utilisation of all approved expatriate quota positions issued to their respective organisations online.
In another public notice by the Permanent Secretary and Principal Registrar of Marriage in Nigeria, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, the government announced its plans to commence the inspection of organisations for the granting of additional slots of expatriate quota facilities, renewal of expatriate quota positions, as well as inspection of places of worship for the issuance of licences to conduct statutory marriages and renewal of existing marriages.
Newsmen report that expatriate quota application in Nigeria comes after the registration of a company in Nigeria by foreigners seeking to migrate into the country to carry out any permanent work.
It is granted for an initial period of three years. It can however be renewed for further periods of two years, each subject to a cap of 10 years within which time the relevant skills comprised in the position ought to have been transferred to qualified Nigerian Understudies.
According to the notice, “this is pursuant to the Second Schedule of the Marriage Act, Cap 6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and the approved Legal Notices of the Federal Government Official Gazette Nos. 55, 56, 59, 60, 61 & 62, Volume 108 of 2021.”
The notice also stated that these inspection exercises and services attract payment of fees that are mandatory for organisations and public places of worship that apply for such services.
“For more information on the payment process public places of worship and companies are directed to log on to the Ministry’s website on www.ecitiz.interior.gov.ng for payment.
“For further enquiries: Please call the ministry’s e-citibiz contact centre on 07000099999 (operating hours are Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm).
“The call Centre can also be contacted during weekdays and weekends via: info@ecitibiz.interior.gov,ng”, it added.
