Passports: What Nigerian govt plans to do for residents in US – Envoy

The Consul-Common of Nigeria in New York, Lot Egopija, says the federal authorities is working to spice up the passport utility processing system within the US and different Nigerian missions overseas.

Mr Egopija gave the reassurance at a hybrid city corridor assembly with the Nigerian neighborhood in New York and areas beneath New York Jurisdiction. The assembly was held in Cleveland, Ohio.

The New York Jurisdiction contains the 20 states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Nebraska, Ohio and North Dakota.

Others are South Dakota, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Vermont and Pennsylvania.

The North American correspondent of the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) reviews that the assembly was hosted by the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Americas, North East Ohio Chapter and Nigeria Neighborhood, Better Cleveland.

Mr Egopija whereas answering questions on why the consulate-general of Nigeria in New York nonetheless goes to Washington DC to provide passports in an period of know-how, mentioned the federal authorities was working to handle the problem.

Some contributors on the occasion wished to know what the federal authorities was doing to embrace a system the place Nigerians looking for passport renewal wouldn’t have to go to the missions for biometrics.

He mentioned the federal government was conscious of the challenges confronted by Nigerians, particularly within the US on passport renewal.

In keeping with him, the federal government is considering of advancing the passport renewal system so that folks will cease travelling far and taking dangerous journeys.

“We’re beneath strain as a result of America is sort of large. Typically, it takes hours for our nationals inside our jurisdiction to journey to New York.

READ ALSO: Cultural library opens in New York to advertise Nigeria`s heritage

“As an example, Minnesota to New York is shut to twenty hours journey. So we don’t need our nationals to place themselves in hurt’s means simply because they wish to renew their passports.’’

The envoy additionally gave an replace on passport manufacturing, and relationship with Nigerian associations and likewise offered info on emergency journey certificates in addition to visa points.

He mentioned that the consulate had created a WhatsApp platform, the place all leaders of Nigerian associations might move well timed info from the consulate to their members.

“It was simpler to publish the data on the non permanent suspension of passport providers on the WhatsApp platform and the explanation for that.’’

Egopija knowledgeable the gathering that the consulate-general had not been processing biometrics for passport candidates since Nov. 13, as a consequence of server hitches.

He suggested them to all the time verify the web site for any updates on that earlier than coming for his or her biometrics.

Mr Egopija additionally welcomed solutions on methods to enhance consular providers, urging his compatriots to get extra info on the consulate’s web site.

He mentioned that info on a few of the questions being requested had been offered on the web site beneath the Ceaselessly Requested Questions part.

The consul-general counseled the curiosity proven by the contributors on the gathering, pledging to enhance consular providers for Nigerians.

“We don’t take your participation without any consideration. It’s a means of constructing relationships and that’s why the consulate has been as launched into this.

“That is our eleventh within the collection. I pray that we’ll proceed this fashion.

“I wish to thank Cleveland for giving us this heat reception.

“We’re very happy and we stay up for having our subsequent city corridor assembly in February subsequent 12 months.”

(NAN)