Expatriate quota: Immigration officials storm Arik’s office

Posted by admin Latest Politics Sunday, March 6th, 2011

Officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service on Friday stormed Arik Air’s head office at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos over the alleged violation of the expatriate quota.

According to sources at the airport, the officials, who came from the Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos office of the NIS, asked for the files of Arik’s foreign workers. Following Arik officials’ alleged refusal to produce the files, the immigration officials were said to have promised to return on Monday.

When contacted, the Media Officer, Arik, Mr. Adebanji Ola, confirmed the visit. He, however, said that it was a routine visit by NIS officials, adding that it was not true that the airline’s officials refused to produce the requested files.

He said, “It was a routine visit to companies with expatriates in their employ, to make sure that they comply with the expatriate quota. It is not peculiar to Arik, just a normal compliance check.

“They requested all the documents and were given. Arik is a law-abiding corporate citizen and does not go against the law. We have done this over the years.”

The spokesman, NIS, Alagbon, Mr. Odo Emene, said he would speak on the matter on Monday

-Punchwp_posts