By Seun Adams
The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has called on the Government of Qatar to end its visa restriction on Nigerians.
Saraki, according to a statement by his Media Office, made the request during a meeting with the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, in Doha.
The President of the Senate who led a National Assembly delegation to the 140th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) taking place in Doha, lamented that the Visa ban is negatively affecting Nigerians as it prevents that from visiting the Middle East nation.
He noted that lifting the ban would help Qatar in showcasing its vast investment opportunities, technological advancement and other achievements to the rest of the world.
The President of the Senate, while calling for more collaboration between the two countries, especially its parliament, lauded the leadership resilience of the Qatari government
He said there was the need to set up a a legal framework to enable skilled workers and professionals in Nigerians to legally gain employment in Qatar.
Saraki said: “I want to commend your fighting spirit in standing up for your rights. You have demonstrated that you mean well for your people and what you have done is worth emulating.
“That said, I think both countries (Nigeria and Qatar) need to strengthen their ties, especially our parliaments. We need to collaborate to achieve many things together. The collaboration will be good for the two countries and for our people.
“I want to make an appeal that the visa restrictions placed on Nigerians be lifted. Nigerians are good people and we travel a lot.
“This restriction is not good for both countries and I urge you to reconsider your position on that. The world needs to see the good things you are doing here and lifting your visa ban on Nigerians will encourage more people to come here and enjoy your beautiful country.
“In the area of sports, we need to do more together. Nigeria is a sport loving country. We have talented people in various parts of the world, including Qatar, doing great things in sports. If we collaborate, we will be able to develop that sector too.”
On his part, the Qatari Prime Minister, Al-Thani, promised to look into the visa restriction and ensure that it is resolved within the shortest time possible.
Earlier, Saraki had a bilateral meeting with Mr. Kenneth Lusaka, Speaker of the Parliament of Kenya where both leaders called for more collaboration between the parliaments of the two countries.