HOR Demands Investigtion Into Activities Of Foreign Affairs Ministry

The House of Representatives has directed its Committee on Foreign Affairs to conduct a comprehensive investigation into activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its missions.

This decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by a member from Delta State, Ben Etanabene during plenary in Abuja who said some foreign missions have failed in their responsibilities to Nigerians, as they are not getting the help they need overseas.

He noted that despite efforts to reform the ministry and its missions, Nigerians face numerous challenges, including consular services difficulties, Illegal detention and harsh treatment among others..

“Many Nigerian students are stranded in foreign land over issues that can be resolved, also many Nigerian businesses around the world, contributing to the economy of those countries and send remittances back home are suffering harassment and sabotage,” he said.

Mr Etababene also accused some foreign missions of outsourcing vital consular services to third-party agents.

He said all these are happening despite the 4D foreign policy thrust of the Bola Tinubu administration.

“In a lot of missions, local staff ceiling has been exceeded due to violation of rules and in some instances, the ceiling of Foreign Service Officers. This has further resulted in indebtedness in the respective missions.

“If these issues are not investigated and appropriate and urgent actions taken by the House, it may lead to loss of lives and properties, further difficulties in visa and consular services home and abroad, malfeasance and waste, inefficiency and loss of revenue and poor implementation of the government reforms,” he said.

The Committee on Foreign Affairs has been tasked with investigating these matters and reporting back to the House within three weeks.

Oduyemi Odumade,Edited By Grace Namiji