Giant_and_Dwarf-FIN

Continent of Gigantic ProblemsSome customs officers and border police literally squeeze bribes from passengers. Somebehind the counters may openly ask: “Do you have something for the officers?” After thisquestion you can choose whether you show a blank expression (by which you prolongyour wait—because if you do not understand what the border official expects of you, whyshould the border official understand that you expect the exit stamp in your passport?) oryou can clearly answer “no”, which opens up the possibility of further delays and bullyingduring the further checks because news about your ingratitude will almost certainly spreadquickly. Many people who frequently travel to Nigeria on business know the game and withan understanding smile put a banknote on the counter. After such a gesture of goodwillthings move smoothly.Other uniformed officials can stop you anywhere in the airport and ask to see yourpassport scrutinizing it for a long period of time. A serious expression on the face of theofficial and the asking of another colleague to also check your passport indicates that anaccusation of something illegal is imminent and your plane may well fly home without you.With a blue UN passport this nerve-wracking game is easier. It is extremely unlikely thatthe customs officers would try to drag someone from an international institution, who maypersonally know ministers and high ranking officials. To be able to wear a border police orcustom official uniform, enabling you to extract bribes from visitors to the country is lucrativeand certainly not a cheaply obtained position. Therefore, to risk stopping a person withUN passport does not make much sense. However, for those travelling on a passport fromCentral Europe it is a little harder, although the European Union sign helps a lot.Returning from my last trip from Port Harcourt, the Nigerian oil capital in the southof the country, I was chosen for personal check after politely but clearly refusing to bribeborder police for an exit stamp in my passport, another border policeman touched a smallbunch of banknotes in my pocket.“What is it?” asked the policeman.“Money.”“Can I see them?”“You can see them, but not have them.”“What do you need Nigerian money for?”“I will need them when I come to Nigeria next time.”Of course, after this financially unprofitable conversation I was again asked for my passport,despite the fact that my passport control was already done. He studied it for a whileand then carried it away to a room full of other uniformed officers. While my passportwas once again thoroughly studied, my hold luggage thoroughly inspected, and another15 minutes wasted, finally a senior officer emerged with my passport in his hand andhanded it to me with an explanation: “You have a stamp from Thailand in your passportand the drugs are being smuggled from there, so we had to examine you carefully...”I have never given a bribe to any Nigerian airport or other official, claiming that as WorldBank staff member I am not allowed to pay bribes. I however find it quite unfortunate thatmany foreigners, who travel to Nigeria, do not have the will or stomach for this game of65