The House of Representatives has ordered a probe into the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of visas of 177 Nigerians by the Saudi Arabian authorities on arrival at Jeddah.
This followed the adoption of a Motion Of Urgent Public Importance, by Kama Nkemkanma and three others, on urgent to investigate the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of the visas.
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The House mandated its Committees on Foreign Affairs, Interior and Pilgrims Affairs to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the visa cancellations. The committees are expected to report back to the House within two weeks for further legislative actions.
In condemning the cancellation of the visas, the House urged the Federal Government to urgently “Take such diplomatic steps as may be necessary to protect the image of the nation, ensure the full implementation of the BASA, protect Nigerian national Carriers flying into Saudi Arabia and as well protect the Nigerian travelling public.”
“All the passengers went through the Advanced Passengers Pre-screening System, (APPS), which was also monitored live by the Saudi Arabia authorities before the flight left Nigeria.”
The lawmaker expressed worry that “According to sources at the Nigerian Embassy in Jeddah, even the Saudi immigration personnel could not locate who authorized the cancellation of the visas, even when the APPS which was live between both countries was concluded and the airline was already airborne to Jeddah.“
He further said that “Upon the intervention of Nigerian Embassy in Saudi, the authorities were said to have reduced the number of passengers that would be returned back to Nigeria.
“Stakeholders in the sector have attributed the development to aero-politics,” adding that “It could be a way to force the Nigerian operator out of the route, and raised concerns that Nigerian carries could actually be forced out of the route unless the government intervenes, probably using the principle of reciprocity.
” Saudi Air has been operating directly from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia and that Air Peace has been receiving high patronage and as a Nigerian carrier since it started flight service to the Saudi at relatively lower fares, thereby helping Nigeria to conserve foreign exchange.
“This action of Saudi authorities is an infringement on the letters and intendments of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia which is still in force;
“This unfortunate event and diplomatic slight on Nigeria happened even when the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is on a state visit to Saudi Arabia.” Nkemkanma added.
