The House of Representatives has resolved to intervene in the ongoing diplomatic dispute between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
These followed the adoption of a motion on matter of urgent public importance by the minority leader of the house, Mr Ndudi Elumelu.
Mr Elumelu, stated that in February 2021 the federal government stopped the UAE national carrier, emirates airline from subjecting Nigerian travelers to additional rapid antigen test as against its stipulated negative PCR test at the Lagos and Abuja airports before departure.
This according to him, Emirates airline shut down flights to and from Nigeria owing to the disagreement between the airline and the aviation authorities on the propriety of subjecting passengers travelling from Nigeria to emergency COVID-19 protocols.
The lawmaker, expressed concern that despite the resumption of flights later, Emirates airline continued to conduct test for passengers before departure from Nigeria, a development the federal government frowned at and thus suspended the airline from flying to and from Nigeria.
“… there are allegations that hundreds of legal resident Nigerians living in UAE are losing their jobs on account of the refusal of the authorities to renew their work permit which offends the letters of bilateral agreements which both nations are signatory to.
“…there are speculations that the refusal by the UAE authorities to renew work permit for Nigerians living in the country is a calculated attempt to pressure the Nigerian Government into accepting their conditions of service for their national airline that may have lost humongous revenue from the Nigeria route.
Elumelu, noted that if the federal government does not urgently engage the authorities of the UAE, thousands of Nigerians living and working will lose their jobs and means of livelihood hence the need for a quick interface with the authorities of the UAE.
Adopting the motion, the House therefore resolved to set up an adhoc committees made up members from various relevant committees such as Committees on
Aviation, Foreign Affairs, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19, National Security and Intelligence and Interior(Immigration Service).
Others include, National Orientation Agency, Diaspora and Treaties respectively, to interface with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aviation and National Intelligence Agency (NIA), PTF on Covid-19, immigration Service, Diaspora commission and National Orientation Agency on best ways of resolving the crisis and report back to the House within 4 weeks.
RN