ABUJA – Senate yesterday urged Foreign missions abroad to be watchdogs of the Federal Government against money launderers who make countries abroad their safe haven.
The charge was given by the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, when the Foreign Affairs Ministry led by the Honourable Minister, appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs yesterday to defend its 2016 budget.
Ndume, who also frowned at the cost of running foreign missions abroad, one which he described as “relatively high”, emphasized the need for ‘change’ in the affairs of governance.
Out of the almost N50 billion allocated to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, N33 billion was proposed for running foreign missions; with 13.5 billion going to the Ministry, and 3.5 billion allocated for agencies under it.
According to him, the high cost of running foreign missions, which he noted was fast becoming a worrisome trend, should be immediately addressed by the Ministry by looking at ways of bringing down costs.
He said: “we all know that Change cannot be overnight. However, Nigerians are worried as to why 70 percent of the budget will be used to fund 5 percent of the entire country’s population.
“This is becoming to much on them. And I can tell you that if nothing is done about it, a day will come when they would turn against us. So I urge the ministry to look at ways of cutting down on some of the costs of running these missions.”
Earlier, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Monsurat Sumonu, expressed worry at the working gap existing between the National Assembly and Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Ndume, while agreeing with the Chairman of the committee on the lack of synergy between the Foreign Affairs Ministry and National Assembly, adviced the Ministry to engage in consultations with the aapex legislative body so as to get its input over bilateral agreements reached with other nations.
On the issue of money laundering, Senator Ndume urged the Foreign Affairs Ministry to task foreign missions abroad on the need to keep records on the entry and exit of every visiting Nigerian citizen.
“They should have information on the movement of Nigerians into countries where there are foreign missions. Infact, foreign missions must be government’s watch dog in keeping an eye on the movement of Nigerians into countries where it has entered into such agreements,” the lawmaker said.
He assured that the National Assembly will assist in providing legislation that would assist whatever bilateral agreements the foreign ministry may come up with.
Responding, the Honourable minister while agreeing with the issues raised by Senator Ndume, stated that the ministry would undertake rationalization of the service.
On bilateral agreements, he promised that the foreign affairs ministry will liaise constantly with the National Assembly towards achieving best results in the overall interest of the country.
On the issue of money laundering and the role of Nigeria’s foreign missions abroad, he disclosed that the Ministry is presently engaged in the recovery of over $300 million laundered money from the state of Jersey in the United States.
He added that the Nigerian government was in between agreements with the United Arab Emirates in getting a list of all properties owned by Nigerians in the UAE.
According to him, with the presence of the new APC government and the ‘change’ mantra that comes with it, same would in great measure affect Nigeri’s diplomatic missions in the way things are done going forward.
