The Federal Government has introduced new harmonized departure/arrival cards for use at the nation’s airports. The cards, which will replace the multiple cards hitherto filled by air travellers for security reasons, were launched on Tuesday in Kaduna.
Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, who spoke at the launching of the cards, said that they would suffice for the needs previously catered for by the old cards which authorities had required travellers to fill. According to him, they would “take care of the interest of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Customs, Port, Health Services, NDLEA, and others.”
Dambazau also said that foreigners will be expected to fill the departure/arrival cards, while Nigerians will fill only the departure cards.
He explained that the new measure was part of the Federal Government’s push in the direction of making it easier to do business in Nigeria.
The Federal Government has in recent times moved to attract foreign investors to the country by reviewing its visa processes. The harmonization of departure/arrival forms appears to be part of the general effort to make Nigeria a less challenging travel destination for tourists.