In response to the ongoing conflict in Sudan and the evacuation of many Nigerians currently stranded in the war-torn country, the Nigerian House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to appear before the House.
The lawmakers have expressed their grave concerns about the inter-agency disagreements arising from overlapping mandates and the absence of established operational guidelines for such circumstances, News About Nigeria reports.
During his welcome address on resumption from the two weeks recess for Easter and Ramadan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed that the House would invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs alongside officials from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The stakeholders will be expected to provide an account of the status of evacuation efforts.
Many Nigerians resident in Sudan, including students, business people, and those in other vocations, have been entrapped in the ongoing conflict.
The Federal Government has made efforts to ensure that they are evacuated safely and quickly, but there have been difficulties in the process, which the House is keen on addressing.
The House is mindful that some of the difficulties stem from inter-agency disagreements arising from overlapping mandates and the absence of established operational guidelines for such circumstances.
The Speaker has urged the House to revisit the statutory and other frameworks that have left the country seemingly unprepared to respond promptly and effectively.
News About Nigeria urges the people involved in the evacuation to prioritize safety and well-being. The House of Representatives is expected to work with the relevant stakeholders to address the inter-agency disagreements that have caused difficulties in the evacuation process.
