BIPC, NIS Strengthens Collaboration Towards Safety Of Expatriates Working In Benue

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 
The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) have agreed to strengthen collaboration  towards ensuring the safety and proper monitoring of expatriates working in Benue State.

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

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Asemakaha disclosed that BIPC accounts for about 75 percent of expatriates currently working in the state through its various industrial and investment projects.

According to the GMD BIPC would henceforth notify the Nigerian Immigration Service of all expatriates engaged by the state, including details of their Temporary Work Permits (TWP), to ensure proper documentation and monitoring.

"We are here to build the state, and we will not have criminals in the state," Dr. Asemakaha stated.

He also expressed concern over the unpleasant experiences encountered by some expatriates in their dealings with immigration officers but commended the State Comptroller for her prompt intervention in resolving the issues.

Responding, the Benue State Comptroller of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Grace Nkangwung, said the Service had already put measures in place to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. She urged BIPC to consistently notify the agency whenever new expatriates arrive in the state to enable effective monitoring in line with the statutory mandate of the Service.

Nkangwung further lauded Dr. Asemakaha and Governor Hyacinth  Alia for what she described as the transformation of Benue into a major construction hub through ongoing development projects.

Earlier, the Head of Business Development and Strategy at BIPC, Theresa Abeda, said the meeting was convened to strengthen collaboration and address issues of mutual benefit between the two organisations, particularly in promoting investment, security and compliance with immigration regulations in the state.