18 April 2009

Abuja — Nigeria's efforts to host the 12th session of the Conference of Afro-Arab Parliamentarians which will commence in Abuja on Tuesday may not achieve it desired goals because of the economic meltdown currently affecting the country, Deputy Leader and Chairman of the House of Representatives' Ad-hoc committee on Afro-Arab Parliamentary Conference, Rep Baba Shehu Agaei, has said.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Rep Agaei (PDP, Niger), said though the country will earn some political advantages through some treaties it plans to present for adoption among member countries, the economic crisis has caused a slash of their earlier budget from N100m down to N60m in order to actualise the successful hosting of guests to the conference.

He said "though the country will earn some political advantages through some treaties it plans to present for adoption among member countries especially in the area of its citizens' diplomacy crusade and economic development, economic crisis has caused a slash in our earlier budget of N100m down to N60m in order to actualize the successful hosting of the guests to the conference".

Morocco Blames Illegal Migration on Abuja

The Moroccan government has blamed Abuja for illegal migration of Nigerians to European countries through Morocco, saying they can't refuse government appeal on issuance of visa.

It also seeks strong economic and political ties between Nigerian and Morocco, even as it called on Nigerian Government to lend its weight behind the quest to grant autonomous statue to Saharan region.

Answering questions from Journalists in Abuja, on why Moroccan Embassy in Nigeria grants visa to illegal migrants, the Moroccan Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Mustapha Cherqaoui, said most of the visa issued by the embassy to Nigerians were requests from top government officials.

According to him, not fewer than 1,000 visas are issued annually by the embassy to Nigerians, which include; those going on pilgrimage, business and others.

His words: "I can't say that we are issuing visa to illegal migrants or that most of the people that travel to Morocco migrate to other European countries, because we issued most of the visa on government request.

"Most of them come with letter headed papers from top government officials, and because we want to maintain our relationship with Nigerians, I grant them the visa. How would I know that they were going on illegal trips?

"Most of the times my hands were tied. So you can't really blame us but your government".

On the best way he felt this could be corrected, he said the embassy and Nigerian government have to meet and decide on the best strategy to follow, adding that until the right thing is done they can't tell who is who.

On the economic ties between Nigeria and Morocco, he said before his arrival to Nigeria four years, ago, it wasn't strong, but he has corrected most of the anomalies.

"Before now, Nigerian businessmen travelled to Morocco through Casablanca, but now we have direct flight from Morocco to Nigeria.