United States Embassy Resumes Full Operations In Abuja

The embassy had on August 15 temporarily suspended its consular services in Abuja due to reasons it said were beyond its control.

 

 

Activities picked up on Friday at the U.S. Embassy Abuja as it resumed consular activities.

The embassy in its twitter handle @USEmbassyAbuja on Friday morning announced resumption of full consular services at the embassy in Abuja.

“Full consular visa and American Citizen Services (ACS) resume in Abuja today. We regret the inconvenience the temporary closure of the Abuja Consular office caused. Good to be back,” the embassy said.

The embassy had on August 15 temporarily suspended its consular services in Abuja due to reasons it said were beyond its control.

It however stated that consular functions at the U.S. Consulate Lagos were never affected and will continue as usual.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed that scores of applicants who had their appointments rescheduled for August 24 after the suspension of services defiled the Friday downpour to meet up with their appointments.

Many of them were sighted on a queue at the embassy waiting to be attended to by consular officials.

Few of them who spoke with NAN said that they initially had appointments between August 15 and August 23 but were informed that their appointments had been rescheduled to Aug 24.

Others also said that their appointments were fresh ones.

An applicant, a student who simply identified himself as Jones, said that his appointment was rescheduled from August 15 to August 24.

Another applicant, Busayo Adetipe, said that her appointment was a fresh one.

“I received a notification for interview from the embassy,” she said.

A source who preferred anonymity said that most of those who came to the embassy on Friday were those who had their appointments rescheduled.

“That is why you see the crowd. Ordinarily, you do not find this many people,” the source said.

NAN also observed food vendors resumed operations near the embassy.

Also drinks sellers, airtime top-up, internet services and photographers resumed operations.

Ikechukwu Valentine, a taxi operator said: “activities have picked up.

“Honestly, business was dull during the closure of operations at the embassy. But I must say that things are good again.

“Before they closed operations, I make N7,000 on the average in a day.”

A photographer, Ojo Seun, said before the suspension of consular services, he makes N10, 000 every week.