The British High Commission in Nigeria has announced the establishment of a visa centre in Enugu, South East Nigeria.
This was even as the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, and Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, expressed optimism that the visa facility would boost economic and cultural ties between the UK and the people of Enugu State, South East, and Nigeria in general.
Montgomery said the move was sequel to a request by Governor Mbah and others during his recent visits to the South East with a delegation of the UK High Commission in Nigeria.
The British High Commission announced the new visa centre on Monday in a statement published on its verified twitter handle, @UKinNigeria.
The statement read: “The British High Commission in Nigeria is pleased to announce the opening of a new temporary submission centre for UK visas in Enugu State from 13 September, 2023.
“This facility will operate out of the Omedel Luxury Hotel, 4/6 Link Road, Off Pascal and Jerk Bus stop, Independence Layout, Enugu and will shortly offer a twice-a-week service.
“The appointment system allows applicants to select Enugu as their application location, when applying for a UK visa. This is in addition to current locations in Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt.
“The temporary submission centre in Enugu opens as a Premium Location, meaning it will cost NGN246,250.00, which includes a Premium Lounge appointment, courier return, SMS notifications, general customer support and guidance”.
The High Commissioner, however, said the centre would be reviewed after three months to determine its sustainability.
“Demand for visa services will be carefully monitored and service reviewed/expanded should there be sufficient volumes. TLS will trial this location for at least 3 months to access uptake of the service and enable decisions on continuation”, the statement said.
Reacting, the British High Commissioner, Montgomery, twitted: “Very pleased that @ UKVIgovuk is trialing a new visa application facility in Enugu: a key request from Peter Mbah and others during recent visits to the State by myself and Deputy High Commissioner, Lagos, Jonny Baxter. Hope this works and helps strengthen our links”.
In his reaction, Governor Mbah, in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, commended the UK government, saying the facility would further enhance economic partnership and cultural exchanges between Enugu State and the UK.
"The Enugu State Government received the news of the visa centre with delight and satisfaction. The government therefore looks forward to a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with the UK, as the visa centre would help cement the relationship", Mbah stated.
Mbah equally called on the people, especially those residing in the South-East, to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the facility to file their visa applications in the state, adding the government would continue to ensure improved security both to residents and visitors carrying on business in the state. It reiterated that the state was open for business and investment more than ever before.
[9/11, 9:37 PM] Lugard: *Enugu gov’t, NDLEA unite against illicit drugs*
…We have zero tolerance for narcotics, drug abuse– Mbah
The Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has expressed the desire of his administration to strengthen the existing partnership between government and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the war against illicit drugs and other narcotics in the state.
Mbah said his administration had zero tolerance for drug abuse, saying young people addicted to drugs often engaged on crimes as a venture.
The governor disclosed this when he received the State Command of the NDLEA at the Government House, Enugu, Monday.
Dr. Mbah, who expressed gladness at the success recorded by the collaborative efforts between the state government and the agency, assured the delegation led by the State Commander, Chinyere Kalu Olugu, of his administration's continued support.
He said the fight against narcotics, drug abuse and other illicit drugs in the state would help to groom a responsible and productive workforce among the youths.
According to the governor, fighting illicit drugs in the state would lead to sustainable economic development with more youths engaged in meaningful ventures.
“We are going to continue to support your activities. We will strengthen the partnership by getting you involved in our structure both in rural and urban areas,” the governor added.
He promised that young persons, under his government, would be profitably engaged through skill acquisition, training and employment.
Commending Governor Mbah for the support he had been giving the agency even before assuming office as governor, the NDLEA Commander said the war on narcotics could only be won through collective effort by the society.
“Drug abuse and illicit drugs trafficking must be fought collectively as no one agency could fight it alone,” Olugu said.
She called on individuals and organisations in the state to see themselves as stakeholders in the fight against narcotics and drug abuse.
While decorating the governor as an Ambassador against Narcotics and Illicit Drugs, the NDLEA Commander commended him for championing the war against drug abuse through his support.
She observed the increase in drug abuse in Enugu State because of the influx of people coming into Enugu from other states in recent times, assuring however that with the governor’s support, the war against illicit drug trafficking would be defeated.
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