British passport: Britain, Lagos collaborate on document verification

Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami (2nd right); Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Jafar Sanuth (right) and officials from the British Deputy High Commission during the visit.

The British Government is seeking collaboration with the Lagos State Government on verification of documents presented by applicants for issuance of British Passports.

The measure was as a result of challenges being encountered by the commission in verifying document such as birth certificates, school certificates, parents’ background, among others of applicants in the state which invariably was said to be responsible for the unnecessary delay in the issuance of passports.

John Deanie, Head of Passport Office and Counter Fraud, British High Commission, Lagos called for the collaboration on Thursday at a meeting with the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Deanie noted that the commission had been having challenges at councils level in verifying large number of documents presented by applicants owing to lack of genuine records as well as administrative bureaucratic bottleneck.

“Recently, we have received several applications for British passports and its our duty to investigate the authenticity of documents, but in the process, we do have some challenges.We hereby appeal to you to use your good office to address the situation, as we rely heavily on Lagos State Government in ensuring that the verification of documents is done without further delay. This is one of the reasons for the delay in issuance of British Passport to applicants,” he said.

The commissioner assured of government’s support and collaboration with the commission in its drive to ensure speedy issuance of British Passports to applicants.

“What we will adopt in the short term is that we will create leverage, by setting up a team from your end, then call stakeholders’ forum that involve all local government officials who will be able to pass across the message and in turn disseminate same to others. That will educate all on the criteria needed to obtain a British Passport.

“We are ready to partner with you to facilitate the process with our officials at the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs of the state. I want to assure you that there will be improvement in the verification process henceforth. We hope to organize the stakeholders’ forum as soon as possible,” he said.