Reps to set up committee on Nigerians in diaspora

30.01.2008

SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole, on Tuesday said the House would soon set up a committee on Nigerians in diaspora in order to give them a sense of belonging and protection.

The Speaker said this on Tuesday when he received members of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) South-Korea chapter. He said the proposed committee would be saddled with the responsibility of examining laws of other countries, especially as they affect foreigners as well as the activities of Nigerians in diaspora, with a view to giving them a legislative support while undertaking their lawful ventures outside Nigeria.

According to him, “we want to copy from the China experience, where they have a parliamentary committee on Chinese in diaspora which gives their citizens legislative backing in all their endeavours abroad.”

The Speaker also said the National Assembly, in doing this, would receive memorand from Nigerians in diaspora especially as they concern diaspora voting.

He described as unfortunate, a situation where Nigerians living overseas were not given the chance to exercise their civic rights during elections and promised that “we will look into your memorandum with a view to correcting the anomaly.”

He commended Nigerians in diaspora, especially those living in South Korea, for their patriotic zeal and encouraged them to participate in the process of development at home.

Earlier, the Chairman of PDP, Korea chapter Mr. Yuccee Uwah, called for constitutional provision that would allow Nigerians living abroad to have voting rights during elections.