Enugu State residents now have the convenience of processing their travel visa applications without leaving the region, thanks to the newly established United Kingdom visa centers. The Enugu State government announced this significant development and extended its gratitude to the United Kingdom Government for inaugurating a visa center in the state to streamline visa applications for residents of Enugu State and the broader South-East region, as reported by NAN.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, conveyed this commendation through a statement issued on Monday in Enugu. According to the statement, the establishment of the visa center resulted from discussions between Governor Peter Mbah and the UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, during the commissioner’s visit to the Government House in Enugu in June.
The statement emphasized that the government received the news of the visa center’s opening with enthusiasm and satisfaction, recognizing its potential to further enhance economic partnerships and cultural exchanges between Enugu State and the United Kingdom. “The Enugu State Government eagerly anticipates a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the UK, given that the visa center will play a pivotal role in cementing this relationship,” the statement said. It urged residents, particularly those in the South-East, to take full advantage of this opportunity to submit their visa applications within the state.
Furthermore, the statement reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing security for both residents and business visitors in the state, reaffirming that Enugu State remains open for business and investment. It’s worth noting that in June, the United Kingdom (UK) unveiled plans for a strategic partnership with Enugu State, focusing on key areas such as power, education, and public health to drive economic development.
This announcement follows a meeting between Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, and Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu, where Montgomery highlighted the longstanding collaboration between the UK and Enugu State, spanning over two decades, particularly in areas such as public health sector reforms, education, and power sector improvements. Montgomery expressed the UK’s keen interest in sustaining and deepening this partnership, commending Governor Mbah’s proactive approach to implementing reforms and his vision for the state, as evident in recent press reports.
