and repatriated by the Federal Government to
rid the nation of expatriates suspected to be
fueling insurgency in parts of the country,
Minister of Interior, Abba Moro has said.
"19,000 illegal immigrants have been sent out of
the country and that surveillance equipment
would be installed at the nation's borders, in
collaboration with the United States of America,"
Moro told newsmen.
According to him, "extra-ordinary problems
require extra-ordinary solutions and we will do
what is necessary to address the current
challenges".
Explaining the cost implications of installing the
surveillance equipment at the borders, Moro
revealed that the earlier quotations by two
foreign firms with the expertise to undertake the
project, ZTE and Hawaei conglomerates, were in
the region of about $2. 6 billion (about N405
billion).
"On the cost of implementating the surveillance
equipment in our borders, we are in the process
of certifying one of those that can be awarded. It
is within the region of $2.6 billion and it was
tendered by a Chinese firm, ZTE and Hawaei
conglomerate".
He added, however, that with the offer by
America to play a role in the project, the cost
would be reduced in the final analysis.
"That money may be reduced as the United
States Government is also in touch with us in
fighting terror and the US government has
offered to provide surveillance equipment which
we will deploy to the borders".
The minister noted that checking the influx of
illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries
was a great challenge due to the porous borders
in the Northern states but every necessary step
would be taken to stop them, especially with the
war on terrorism.
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