Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike Inaugurates South African Visa Application Centre in Port Harcorrt

Rivers  State  Governor,  Nyesom Wike,  has  commended  the  South African  Government  for sending  a clear message  that Rivers  State  is safe for business  by opening  a visa application  centre  in the  state.
Inaugurating  the  South  African  Visa Application  Centre operated by  VFS Global  in Port  Harcourt Thursday, Wike  said  the  state government  had taken  measures  to  ensure  that  businesses  operate in  a secure  environment....

 He said: “I wish to  commend the  South  African  Government  for  letting  the world  know  that  Rivers  State  is  safe  for local  and international  businesses.

“We will  continue  to  work  with  the South  African  Government  and other  investors to ensure  that  the business  environment  is improved. We will  continue  to  improve  on the  security  of  the  state  to attract  more investors.”

He urged  the  South  African  Government  to work  towards ensuring  that  the  South African  Airways  flies to  Port  Harcourt.  He said his administration  would work  with  the  federal  government  to further  develop  the  Port  Harcourt  International  Airport.

He said: “I am  happy  that the  South  African  Government  has shown  its  willingness  to  do business  with  the  Rivers  State  Government.  I wish to  use  this opportunity  to  appeal to  other countries  to take advantage  of the  opportunities  in our state.”

Wike  promised  that  the  state  government would do everything  possible  to  develop  the  state to the level where it will be  the envy of  others.

In his remarks, South African High Commissioner to  Nigeria, Mr Lulu  Mnguni, called  for the development  of  tourism  ties between  Nigeria  and  South  Africa. He said such tourism  ties would improve  relations between the  two  countries.

He noted that  the  Visa Application  Centre  in  Port  Harcourt would  eliminate  the  distance  barrier hitherto  experienced  by those in Port Harcourt  and the  South-south  states who hitherto  travelled to  Lagos  for their visas.

The High Commissioner  said despite  the  new visa regulations,  the embassy  would  always  put into consideration the  support  Nigeria  gave to South  Africa  in her trying  moment.

Also speaking,  Consul-General of South Africa in Nigeria, Mokgethi Monaisa, said with the  rising number of  visa applications  in Nigeria,  the  setting  up  of the  Visa Application  Centre  in  Port  Harcourt  would  be  critical station  for applicants  in Rivers and  adjoining  states.
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