LAGOS – The new Italian Consul-General in Nigeria, Mr. Andrea Pompermaier, has urged Nigerians to desist from paying additional visa application and processing charges to agents and intermediaries.
Pompermaier, in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, appealed to Nigerians to always avail themselves of information provided on the consulate’s website for their visa application processes.
“There is no reason at all for Nigerians and even Italians living in Nigeria to pay additional visa application and processing charges than the amount that is published on our website.
“Let me stress here that the process to receive Schegen visa is transparent and that necessary information on this is on our websites.
“Nigerians should, therefore, know that the use of touts, agents or intermediaries is totally useless and unacceptable.
“Nigerians wishing to travel to Italy must, therefore, approach us directly with their complete documentations,’’ he said.
Pompermaier cautioned Nigerians against the dangers of patronising agents and intermediaries, including refusing them visas.
The consul-general enjoined Nigerians to always feel that in accessing the Consulate’s services in a transparent and correct manner.
He also said that the consulate would not hesitate to sanction any Nigerian whose visa information was wrong.
The envoy said the consulate was prepared to promptly treat any visa request from Nigerians who went through its website or book appointments online.
