House Probes Alleged Connivance of Immigration in Abuse of Expatriate Quotas

• Directs police, army to contain deadly communal clashes between Abia, A’Ibom communities

James Emejo in Abuja

The House of Representatives wednesday passed a motion mandating the Committee on Interior to investigate the abuse of expatriate quotas due to alleged connivance of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) with some foreign companies in the country.

The lower House noted that the desire of the country to keep pace with global trend in science, technology and economic development had necessitated the grant of quotas for expatriates to come into the country and take up jobs that Nigerians lacked the requisite skills to undertake.

It. however, expressed displeasure that owing to the failure of the NIS ervice to effectively police the nation’s borders, expatriates illegally enter the country, while some others use official entry points in the guise of being expatriates and take up jobs that Nigerians have the skills to undertake.

The green chamber, in the motion sponsored by Hon. Johnson Egwakhide Oghuma on the need to investigate the abuse of expatriate quotas by the NIS, said the development had worsened the unemployment situation in the country as the trend was unlikely to abate unless the illegal entry points were closed and the failure of the Immigration Service to monitor the borders is addressed.

It noted that NIS is empowered to issue entry permits and expatriate quotas and monitor the entry of expatriates in other to ensure employment of foreigners only in the areas where Nigerians lack skills, so as to ensure transfer of technology and skills to Nigerians.
The House therefore, handed the committee four weeks within which to report back for further legislative action.

Also yesterday, the House passed a motion urging the Chief of Army Staff to direct the military commander stationed in the border between Ariam and Abama communities of Abia and Akwa Ibom States to arrest the deteriorating security situation in the area.

It further urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the people who killed Mr. Ikeakachi Uche and Ezeji Emenike Nkaulor to serve as deterrence.

In a motion sponsored by Hon. Samuel Ifeanyi Onuigbo (PDP, Abia) on the frequent communal clashes between the people of Eluelu Ariam in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State and Abama in Obot Akara Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, the lawmakers further called on the National Boundary Commission to urgently commence the demarcation of the boundary between the two warring communities.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was also detailed to send relief materials to the people of Ariam community who have fled their homes due to the clashes.
The House further mandated the Committees on Army, Police Affairs, Special Duties and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.