Nigerians in UK have applying for passport have expressed dissatisfaction with poor organisation and delays at a Manchester passport intervention centre.
Applicants who arrived at the centre as early as 9:00 a.m. were still waiting by 11:30 a.m., according to Nigerian X user Oluomo of Derby, who shared a video of the incident.
Oluomo criticised the handling of the passport intervention exercise, noting that many applicants had paid for the service, taken time off work and travelled long distances to attend.
He attributed the situation to inadequate preparation, poor coordination and ineffective communication among those responsible for the exercise.
He emphasised the need for better-organised passport intervention programmes and called for a more effective approach that respects the time and dignity of Nigerians living in the UK.
Oluomo said Nigerians in UK should not endure unnecessary delays when accessing passport services.
“Passport Intervention Centre in Manchester: Nigerians Deserve Better Service.
“It is now 11:30 a.m., and people who arrived as early as 9:00 a.m. are still waiting, with nothing happening. This is not the way to treat Nigerians who have taken time off work, travelled long distances, and paid for passport services.
“Please, we cannot continue doing things this way. We need proper planning, better organisation, clear communication, and an efficient system that respects people’s time and dignity.
“We must move away from the same old ways of doing things and organise these interventions properly. Nigerians in the UK deserve better.”
FG addresses UK complaints, denies extra charges
Reacting, the Federal Government has denied imposing additional fees on Nigerians seeking international passports in the United Kingdom under the ongoing special passport intervention exercise.
The clarification followed complaints from Nigerians who visited UK intervention centres, including Manchester, about delays and other inconveniences.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo expressed concern over the situation and assured Nigerians that the government was taking steps to address the challenges arising from the exercise.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, the minister said the intervention aimed to give Nigerians living in the UK more options for completing their passport applications.
According to the ministry, applicants only need to pay the official fees of $150 for a five-year passport and $230 for a 10-year passport, excluding any applicable bank charges.
Read Also: Nigerian Passport Fees Officially Increased for Improved Services
