By Lawrence Enyoghasu
The House of Representatives has begun looking into the immediate and distant circumstances behind the 264 Nigerians who were denied visas upon arriving in Jeddah on Air Peace having their visas revoked. The lawmakers have expressed concern that stakeholders in the sector have attributed the development to aero-politics, stating that it could be a way to force the Nigerian operator out of the route.
Additionally, it urged the federal government to act quickly to take any diplomatic measures that may be required to preserve the country’s reputation, guarantee the full application of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), safeguard Nigerian national carriers entering Saudi Arabia, and safeguard Nigerian travelers.
READ ALSO: Hajj: Nigerians Stranded As Saudi Cancels Visa Of 264 Passengers After Arriving Jeddah
The House denounced the Saudi Arabian authorities’ Monday, November 13, 2023, decision to revoke the visas of 264 Nigerian nationals upon their arrival;
The House’s decision came after a motion made by Kama Nkemkanma and four other members during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Moving the motion Nkemkanma recalled that Saudi Arabian authorities cancelled the visa of all the 264 passengers airlifted by Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace on arrival at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Monday, 13th November, 2023;
The lawmaker noted that all the passengers went through the Advanced Passengers Pre-screening System, (APPS), which was also monitored live by the Saudi Arabia authorities before the flight left Nigeria;
He stressed that the Nigerian Embassy in Jeddah, even the Saudi immigration personnel could not locate who authorised the cancellation of the visas, even when the APPS which was live between both countries was concluded and the airline was already airborne to Jeddah.
Nkemkanma said upon the intervention of the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi, the authorities were said to have reduced the number of passengers that would be returned back to Nigeria from 264 to 170;
He observed that Saudi Air has been operating directly from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia and that Air Peace has been receiving high patronage as a Nigerian carrier since it started flight service to Saudi at relatively lower fares, thereby helping Nigeria to conserve foreign exchange.
The lawmaker expressed concern that stakeholders in the sector have attributed the development to aero-politics, stating that it could be a way to force the Nigerian operator out of the route.
He said the stakeholders were of the view that Nigerian carriers could actually be forced out of the route unless the government intervenes, probably using the principle of reciprocity;
Nkemkanma pointed out that the action of Saudi authorities was an infringement on the letters and intendments of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia which is still in force.
He expressed worry that this unfortunate event and diplomatic slight on Nigeria happened even when President Bola Tinubu was on a state visit to Saudi Arabia.
It mandated the “Committees on Foreign Affairs, Interior and Pilgrims Affairs to inquire into the immediate and remote circumstances surrounding the cancellation of already granted visas to 264 Nigerians on arrival at Jeddah aboard Air Peace and to report back within two weeks.”
