The House of Representatives, on Thursday, mandated its Committee on Foreign Affairs to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and missions.
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 Thursday’s 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.”
The Labour Party chieftain, however, noted that despite the efforts of the government and the parliament, Nigerians around the world are faced with general and urgent 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.
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.
The House, he added, is “conscious that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in addition to budgetary allocations, benefits from intervention funds, for running the affairs of the ministry and missions as well as the internally generated revenue by several missions around the world with questions over effective and efficient utilisation over the years.”
