The Federal Government has said charges and levies imposed on Nigerians in the diaspora at the foreign missions are due to a paucity of funds to run operations.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema; and Controller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede, who both appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Tuesday explained how they were addressing issues affecting Nigerians in other countries.
At the two-day investigative hearing organised by the committee, which began on Tuesday, Onyema noted that the charges had been in existence and were only suspended.
The minister said, “The $100 Nigerians in the US said has been added is voluntary; it is just for those who want to have their biometrics done without an appointment. If you wait for your appointment, you will get it done and not pay. But if you want it the same day, then pay $100.”
Onyema also said his ministry planned to make Nigerians in the diaspora have access to a 24/7 call centre in Nigeria that would take complaints from across the world.