By Akinwale Kasali
A Rights Group, the Nigerian Human Rights Community, NHRC, has alleged a monumental fraud currently on-going at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA.
The Group in a petition challenged the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to address the issue and checkmate the embarrassing fraud.
NHRC, a coalition of 130 civil society and human rights organisations across the country tagged the petition, “YELLOW CARD CORRUPTION AT MURTALA MOHAMMED AIRPORT”, stressing that
the humiliation of innocent Nigerians compelled to bribe immigration officials who accuse them of procuring “fake Yellow Cards”, has led to the Rights group calling on the Aviation Minister to intervene and address the issue holistically.
The petition reads: “We write to draw your attention to the challenges imposed on Nigerian travelers at the Murtala Murhammed International Airport, MMA by some unscrupulous workers at the MMA. These complaints were brought to the NHRC by Nigerians who have used the MMA in the past months,” the statement signed by NHRC, Deputy Secretary, Yomi Adegbite and Northern Region
Coordinator,
Kudu Abubakar stated.
The group said Nigerian travelers coming from outside the country are subjected to corrupt and malicious exploitation by some immigration officials who demand for Yellow Cards from any Nigerian entering the country.
Yellow Cards, known officially as the International Certification of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, ICVP, is to prevent the importation of infectious diseases, mostly and notably, Yellow Fever.
It is the Medical Passport approved by the World Health Organisation, WHO.
However, NHRC said the officials at the arrival desk abuse the procedure and have turned the process into a money making venture through massive corruption.
The NHRC listed the corrupt antics of the Immigration Officials:
- Categorisation of every Yellow Card as Fake compelling travelers to part with between five to ten thousand Naira.
The Group said Travelers who refuse to part with money have their Yellow Cards seized.
They demand for Yellow Cards from Nigerians coming from Western countries.
They demand Yellow cards from Nigerians who travelled out of the country even for four to five days.
“How do we explain asking Nigerians to provide Yellow Cards after visiting Ivory Coast for just five days before they can enter their homeland”, NHRC queried.
The coalition said the action is ridiculous, adding that the exercise has become a money spinning project which undermines the country’s international image.
“We call on the Honourable Minister to investigate this corruption and irresponsible practices and bring the culprits to book. We count on your prompt intervention”, the coalition stated.
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