Abdulrahman Dambazau, minister of interior, has
warned that Nigeria would no longer tolerate delay in
issuance of visa to its nationals from any country.
The minister said this on Monday in Abuja while
meeting with Geoffrey Onyeama, foreign affairs
minister, to resolve some of the issues militating
against visa issuance.
The meeting also had in attendance Abubakar Malami,
the attorney general of the federation and minister of
justice, and Mohammed Babandede, the comptroller-
general of immigration.
Dambazau said the delay in the issue of visa to
Nigerians was becoming an embarrassment and must
be resolved.
“It is embarrassing that one will want visa and will
have unnecessary delay from the issuance countries,”
he said.
“We as a country needs to take our stand; we should
deal with any country the way they deal with us on
visa issuance.
“They should not think that we need them more than
they need us.”
Babandede, at the end of the meeting, also
corroborated minister of interior’s stand on the issue.
He said: “What we are saying is that we as a country,
we would also like to retaliate.
“Anybody who delays visa for our nationals, we would
also do the same as a country because we have a
pride as a nation.”
The comptroller-general, however, said Nigeria was
committed to ensuring that business was done
normally with friends of the country.
“We are committed to issue visa on time and passport
to our nationals wherever they are,” he said.
Earlier, Onyeama said the meeting was to enhance
ease of doing business in the country.
He agreed that the nation was still having challenges
regarding consular services.
Onyeama said the parley was to see how in
conjunction with sister ministries, the nation could find
solutions to the challenges.
“As part of the presidential enabling business
environment council, the issue, as you know, some of
the deliverables are there and it is for consular
services that we also have to work hard together.
“So, we have always felt that we should all try and be
speaking to each other.
“The ministry of interior, immigration services and
ourselves, our embassies and missions and
consulates are all working other one roof,” he said.
TheCable
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