The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday defended the Consulate General of Atlanta Georgia, U.S on the allegation of extortion.
The Ministry in a statement signed by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Mr. Ferdinald Nwonye said there was no oita of truth in the allegation that the Business Centres located close to the Consulate are extensions of the Consulate General of Nigeria, Atlanta and work in collaboration with the Consulate.
The ministry said all the business centres around the consulate are private owned and operated.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to the false and mischievous rumours making the rounds that the Business Centres located close to the Consulate are extensions of the Consulate General of Nigeria, Atlanta and work in collaboration with the Consulate.
“Futher to several publications by the the Consulate, dissociating itself from the activities and operstions of these Business Centres, the Ministry wishes to reiterate the fact that the Mission has no relationship with the two Business Centers, either directlly or indirectly.
“The Ministry also wishes to state that Messrs ‘Edventures’, located at 8050 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA and Nigeria Passport Service’, situated at 8046 Roswell Road, Atlanta as well as several others located in other States under the Consular jurisdiction of the Consulate, particularly in Houston and Dallas, are both run and operated by private individuals.
“The Consulate has on several occassions, both in print and broadcast media dissociated itself from the activities of these business centers and vendors. It has always encouraged applicants to deal directly with the Consulate, warning that any person or office dealing with such business centers or vendors is doing so at his/her own risk. It further warns that any payment made to such business centers or vendors is made at the risk of the payer and has nothing to do with the Consulate General of Nigeria Atlanta.
“In light of the above, the Ministry wishes to advise all applicants to refrain from associating the Consulate with the activities of the business centers listed above.
Henceforth any individual or ” that associates the Consulate with any of the business centers or vendors or levels any allegation of malpractise in the processing of their passport or visa applications, routed through any of the business centers or vendors, shall be required to produce evidence of the Consulate’s involvement in the transaction or face prosecution by the relevant authorities.
“Finally, the Ministry wishes to reiterate its commitment to quality and selfless service to its numerous clients and well meaning members of the Nigerian Community living in its Consular jurisdiction and beyond.”
