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The House of Representatives, on Thursday, mandated its Committee on Foreign Affairs to carry out an investigation into the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and missions dur to Nigerians in diaspora consular services.
The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, Delta State, Mr Benedict Etanabene, during plenary in Abuja.
Moving the motion, Etanabene noted that the Federal Government had set in motion reforms for effective service delivery in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Parastatals and the Missions.
He said, “Government has put in place a clearly-defined foreign policy thrust of democracy, development, demography and diaspora known as 4Ds to usher in a new foreign policy focus for the country.”
He affirmed that despite the efforts of the government and the parliament, Nigerians continued to suffer consular services challenges.
He said, “The House is concerned that many Nigerians are illegally held or imprisoned in foreign countries and often under harsh conditions that may lead to loss of lives if urgent actions are not taken.
“Many Nigerian students are stranded in foreign lands over issues that can be resolved and many Nigerians owned businesses around the world, helping in contributing to the economy of those countries and sending remittances back home but are suffering harassment and sabotage.
“Many Nigerians go through extreme difficulties to secure visas for legitimate travels, including government officials and legislators, after paying exorbitant visa fees.
“Embassies, in a bid to ease visa application processes, have resulted to outsourcing the processes to agents whose cost of services are borne by Nigerians.”
The lawmaker said several modes of visa applications are in force, including express services with huge costs paid by applicants who are sometimes denied visas after such payments.
He also said the committee had received several complaints regarding issues of employment in the ministry and missions, appointments, postings, redeployment and disciplinary issues that affect morals and service delivery.
“The country has property and assets across the world under various missions, many underutilised and several others abandoned, which, if properly audited and harnessed, will enhance the efficiency of our foreign services officers and increase the revenue that is generated by the Federal Government."
