BIPC, Immigration Service Partner to Strengthen Monitoring, Safety of Expatriates in Benue

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) have agreed to deepen collaboration to ensure the safety, proper documentation and effective monitoring of expatriates working in Benue State.

The resolution was reached during a meeting between the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, and the Benue State Comptroller of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Grace Nkangwung, at the BIPC Board Room in Makurdi.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Asemakaha revealed that BIPC is responsible for about 75 per cent of expatriates currently working in the state through its various industrial and investment projects.

He stated that the company would henceforth provide the Immigration Service with details of all expatriates engaged by the state, including information on their Temporary Work Permits (TWP), to facilitate proper documentation and monitoring.

According to him, the move is aimed at promoting security and ensuring that only legitimate expatriates operate within the state.

“We are here to build the state, and we will not have criminals in the state,” Asemakaha said.

The BIPC chief also raised concerns over some unpleasant experiences encountered by expatriates in their interactions with immigration personnel but commended the State Comptroller for her swift intervention in addressing the issues.

In her response, the Benue State Comptroller of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Grace Nkangwung, assured that measures had been put in place to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

She urged BIPC to consistently notify the Service whenever new expatriates arrive in the state to enable effective monitoring in line with its statutory responsibilities.

Nkangwung further praised Dr. Asemakaha and Governor Hyacinth Alia for their efforts in attracting investments and driving infrastructure development, noting that ongoing projects have positioned Benue as an emerging construction hub.

Earlier, the Head of Business Development and Strategy at BIPC, Theresa Abeda, explained that the meeting was convened to strengthen collaboration between the two organisations and address issues of mutual interest, particularly in the areas of investment promotion, security and compliance with immigration regulations.