The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), says it is installing e-border facilities in 10 Nigerian border posts as a way of ensuring better management of Nigeria’s porous borders.
The Chief of Mission, IOM Nigeria, Ms Enira Krdzalic disclosed this at the end of a technical workshop on migration for journalists in Nigeria which held in Abuja.
She explained that the hi-tech border facility termed Migration Data Analysis System (MIDAS) allows for better collection, processing, storage and dissemination of travelers’ information when entering and exiting border points.
According to Krdzalic, the project is being carried out in six strategic border posts and four Immigration State commands in the country.
She said that the border posts include Seme, Jibya, Illela, Mfum, Idiroko and Kamba while the Immigration commands include that of Ogun, Birnin-Kebbi, Seme and Calabar.
Krdzalic said that the IOM had also trained personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on the use and installation of MIDAS at the different border posts to ensure efficient service delivery.
“Given the global security, economic, political and environmental challenges, it is imperative to apply technological innovation to tackle the important task of efficient border management.
“MIDAS has been developed to support states to collect, process and record migrants’ information for the purpose of identification, data collection and analysis. It can collect biographic and biometric data which is useful for monitoring migration patterns,” she said.
The IOM boss said the organisation was working closely with the Nigerian Government and its agencies such the NIS, NAPTIP and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure better migration management in the country.
Earlier, Krdzalic said that the workshop was organised by the IOM for journalists in Nigeria as part of its sensitisation and awareness campaign on migration issues in the country.
She called on the media to use their medium to report on the plight of migrants, IDPs in Nigeria and the need for them to get humane treatment in line with international protocols on migration.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop with the theme: “The Media Coverage on Migration: For a Human and Positive Approach’’ was attended by journalists in Abuja.
