Nigerian consulate denies charging extra $200 for E-passport – TheNigerialawyer

The Nigerian consulate in New York has debunked allegation in
some quarters that it charges extra 200 dollars for same-day
e-passport service.

In a statement, the Consul-General, Mr Benaoyagha Okoyen,
dismissed the allegation as an attempt to tarnish the image of
“hardworking officials’’ of the consulate.

A copy of the statement, dated October 12, was made available to
the News Agency of Nigeria in New York on Monday.

According to him, Thebez Global is the only company that handles
Biometric Visa processing on behalf of the consulate at the VSF
Centre located at 145 West 45 Street, New York.

Okoyen also dissociated the consulate from third-party service
providers or unauthorised agents, who he suggested could be
responsible for the additional charge.

He stated that any payment made by applicants to third parties
should not be taken to mean it was made to the consulate.

“The Consulate has adopted the highest standard and best
practices obtainable in any other Consulate as it relates to
E-passport and Visa production.

“Despite numerous challenges, including last-minute rush by
applicants, no additional 200 dollars or any other fee is charged
for same-day E-passport service.

“The procedure for timely issuance of passport and visa has been
simplified and further streamlined, and well known to the
public.

“We have also worked hard to ensure that the Consulate in New
York never runs short of E-passport booklets to avoid any
disruption in our services,” he said.

The CG emphasised that the consulate has fully keyed into the
Federal Government’s anti-corruption agenda, and would not spare
any official found wanting.

“Furthermore, the Consulate operates an open-door policy and
encourages Nigerians to always report any misdemeanor on the part
of any of its officials to my office.

“My telephone numbers and email addresses are well publicised
for this purpose.

“Besides, arrangements have been concluded to introduce a
special HelpDesk with dedicated phone lines to contact officers in
the Consulate on any issue for quick response without undue delay,”
he added.

The consul used the opportunity to remind applicants of the need
to renew their passports not later than six months to expiration in
line with standard practice.

He decried the attitude of some Nigerians “who usually book
flight tickets far ahead of travel dates and then forget to apply
for passport renewal until the last minute.

“Nigerians are encouraged to be more proactive and desist from
putting undue pressure on officials of the Consulate who are
sometimes harassed and assaulted for insisting on due process.

“I wish to reiterate the commitment of the Consulate General of
Nigeria in New York to continued quality service delivery within
its limited resources.

“This is our goal and we will not be deterred from our
responsibility despite current challenges.

“We, therefore call on applicants to avoid third-party service
providers or agents, as the Consulate does not recognise their
services,” Okoyen stated.

(NAN)