The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Abia State Command, has stated it’s readiness to commence the deportation of quack expatriates masquerading as professional engineers in the State.
NIS pointed out that a tight scrutiny on the expatriates would be launched in the State, in collaboration with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN.
This was disclosed by the Abua State Comptroller of Immigration, S.U.Agba during an official visit by COREN’s Abia State Technical Committee, ASTC, weekend.
Agba disclosed that the agency had uncovered several cases of expatriates posing as professionals. Some of whom were in reality, mechanics and artisans without requisite qualifications.
He said, “We don’t close our eyes to quackery. Many expatriates claim to be engineers, doctors, or lawyers without any verifiable proof.
“During the 90-day regularization window, we vet their documents. And when they fail to meet the standard, we deport them”, Agba disclosed.
The Comptroller assured COREN of full cooperation in identifying and flushing out impostors in the State. This is as he stated that NIS conducts internal investigations through its intelligence units.
He also promised to work closely with local government agents to monitor foreign nationals operating in the State.
“We communicate findings to our Abuja headquarters for immediate repatriation,” Agba said.
He added that blacklists are maintained to prevent re-entry of fraudulent professionals.
In his speech during the visit, the leader of the COREN team, Ejikeme Ihediwa stressed the importance of proper scrutiny of expatriates into the country.
He warned that no individual, local or foreign, should practice engineering in Nigeria without proper registration and certification by COREN as it endangers public safety.
Ihediwa explained that the visit to the Nigeria Immigration Service by the Engineers was part of the efforts to sensitize the Abia State Command about COREN’s regulatory role in engineering practice in Nigeria.
He said, “Many of them do not possess the qualifications they claim. Some are mere mechanics, yet they take up critical roles in our infrastructure.”
Ihediwa, therefore, appealed for necessary support for the COREN to prosecute every identified case of quack expatriates.