The House of Representatives has directed its Committee on Foreign Affairs to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its missions.
The decision came after a motion was moved by lawmaker Ben Etanabene of the PDP from Delta State during Thursday’s plenary session in Abuja.
Etanabene highlighted the ongoing reforms in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its parastatals, agencies, and missions, aimed at enhancing service delivery.
Despite these efforts, he expressed concern over the general and urgent Consular Services Challenge faced by Nigerians worldwide.
He noted that many Nigerians are unlawfully detained in foreign countries under harsh conditions, which could lead to loss of lives if not promptly addressed.
Additionally, he mentioned the challenges faced by Nigerians in obtaining visas for legitimate travel, citing high fees and the outsourcing of visa application processes to agents.
Etanabene also raised issues regarding the Ministry’s budgetary allocations, intervention funds, and internally generated revenue, highlighting concerns over employment practices, appointments, postings, redeployment, and disciplinary matters affecting morale and service delivery.
The House, therefore, mandated the Committee on Foreign Affairs to conduct a comprehensive investigation into these matters and report back within three weeks.
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