The Nigerian House of Representatives is to interface with the country’s Ministries of Health, Foreign Affairs, and the Presidential Task Force on COVID 19 on ways to resolve the suspension of issuance of visitors’ visas to Nigerians by the United Kingdom Government.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion under matters of urgent public importance on the need to intervene on the issue sponsored by the House Minority Leader, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu.
Mr. Elumelu expressed concern that though the ban is for Nigerians bound for the UK, it does not exempt over eight thousand Nigerian travelers that have bought air tickets to visit Nigeria during this festive period.
Mr. Elumelu explained that if the Nigerian Government does not urgently engage the authorities of the United Kingdom, the decision would have a significant impact on businesses and travelers as well as revenue generation.
“Further worried that the UK government chose to announce the ban without discussing the data in its possession with the Nigerian government but instead gave an hour notice to the Nigeria authorities before its inclusion on the red list, contrary to known international convention.
“Concerned that Omicron variant has now been found in over 40 countries around the world including many from the European Union but only Nigeria and a few African countries have been banned by the UK government.
“Further concerned that this decision if left unchallenged will stop thousands of Nigerians that normally come back home at this time of the year to boost the social and economic activities of the country from coming into the country, thereby causing the nation serious revenue loss,” Mr. Elumelu argued.
Supporting the motion, Garba Datti Muhammad from Kaduna State described the action of the UK Government as disrespect that needs urgent action to deal with.
Mr. Datti explained that “This action of the UK authorities is nothing but disregard to Nigeria as an independent nation.
The way the UK government is treating Nigeria and its citizens demands a review of our relations with the UK.”
Aminu Sulaiman, a member from Kano State described the action as apprehensive but stressed the need for a diplomatic approach to the issue.
Other members who contribute to the motion including Mr. Henry Nwawuba from Imo State, Mr. Nnolim Nnaji from Enugu State, and Mr. Musa Bagos from Plateau State said the travel ban by the UK authorities was a wakeup call for the authorities in Nigeria to fix the nation’s education, health and other sectors for better.
While adopting the motion, the House urged Nigerians to support the government in its efforts to reform and develop the country.
It also suggested the need for proper protocols to guide the country’s response to any emergency situation including the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron that triggered the travel ban on Nigerians by some countries.
Confidence Okwuchi
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