Reps to intervene in Nigeria, UAE diplomatic row

Jonas Ezieke, Abuja

The House of Representatives has set up an a ad-hoc committee to intervene and resolve the brewing diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirate UAE over testing protocols of travelers from airlines.

This followed the adoption of a motion by the Minority Leader Hon.Ndudi Godwin Elumelu on the matter on the floor of the House.

Elumelu noted that Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates UAE have had a positive diplomatic relationship and in  2009 the  UAE established its embassy in Nigeria.

He further noted that in December 2020 a memorandum of understanding was executed between Nigeria and the UAE to provide a platform for both countries to engage each other bilaterally.

He said: “Aware that in February 2021 the federal government of Nigeria stopped the UAE national carrier, emirates airline from subjecting Nigerian travellers to additional rapid antigen test as against its stipulated negative PCR test  at the Lagos and Abuja airports before departure.

“Further aware that Emirates airline then 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.

“Concerned that after an interface between the authorities of the aviation ministry and Emirates airline , flights resumed but the 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”.

The lamaker was concerned that 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.

He was also worried about speculations that the refusal by the UAE authorities to renew work permit for Nigerians living in there 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.

Moreover, he expressed worries noting that if the Nigerian 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.

Consequently, the House presided by the Speaker Hon.Femi Gbajabiamila set up an adhoc committee to interface with the relevant authorities in both countries

in the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), PTF on Covid-19, immigration Service, Diaspora commission and National Orientation Agency.

The Ad-hoc Committee is comprising of members from Committees on Aviation,Foreign Affairs, Presidential Task Force(PTF) on Covid-19,national security and intelligence and Interior(Immigration Service),National Orientation Agency, Diaspora and Treaties.

They are mandated to come up with best ways of resolving this crisis and report back to the house within 4 weeks.