SARAKI URGES GOVERNMENT OF QATAR TO END VISA RESTRICTION FOR NIGERIANS

The President of the Senate, who led a National Assembly delegation to the 140th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) taking place in Doha, lamented that the Visa ban is negatively affecting Nigerians as it prevents that from visiting the Middle East nation.

Penpushing further reports that Saraki, while calling for more collaboration between the two countries,  especially its parliament, lauded the leadership resilience of the Qatari government, noting that  there was the need to set up a a legal framework to enable skilled workers and professionals in Nigerians to legally gain employment in Qatar.

“I want to commend your fighting spirit in standing up for your rights. You have demonstrated that you mean well for your people and what you have done is worth emulating. That said, I think both countries  (Nigeria and Qatar) need to strengthen their ties, especially our parliaments.  We need to collaborate to achieve many things together. The collaboration will be good for the two countries and for our people.

“I want to make an appeal that the visa restrictions placed on Nigerians be lifted. Nigerians are good people and we travel a lot. This restriction is not good for both countries and I urge you to reconsider your position on that. The world needs to see the good things you are doing here and lifting your visa ban on Nigerians will encourage more people to come here and enjoy your beautiful country’.

“In the area of sports, we need to do more together. Nigeria is a sport loving country. We have talented people in various parts of the world, including Qatar, doing great things in sports. If we collaborate, we will be able to develop that sector too.”

The Nigerian Senate President had a bilateral meeting with Mr Kenneth Lusaka, Speaker of the Parliament of Kenya where both leaders called for more collaboration between the parliaments of the two countries.

The statement also added that, Saraki met with the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union( IPU), Ms Gabriela Cuevas Barron – who is expected to visit Nigeria before the expiration of the 8th National Assembly in June.

Penpushing also reports that the Qatari Prime Minister, Al-Thani, on his part promised to look into the visa restriction and ensure that it is resolved within the shortest time possible.