The European Union says it can impose restrictive visa implementation rules on Nigeria if it fails to play its part in the return and readmission of its nationals staying illegally in the EU.

The EU, which comprises Germany, Italy, Spain, France and 23 other countries, further stated that although it would not place a visa ban on Nigeria, it could make its visas more difficult for Nigerian applicants if Nigeria failed to meet its standards.

The EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Virginie Battu-Henriksson, said this in an email chat with The PUNCH on Tuesday.

Recall that the United States had last month imposed an immigrant visa ban on Nigeria and five other countries.

Under the new policy, citizens of the affected countries would not be allowed to apply for visas to emigrate to the US under the policy aimed at tightening “security for countries that don’t comply with the US minimum security standards or cooperate to prevent illegal immigration.”

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Nigeria presents a high risk, relative to other countries in the world, of terrorist travel to the US.

The US further stated that Nigeria did not adequately share public-safety and terrorism-related information, which is necessary for the protection of the national security and public safety of the US.

Following the US action, the Federal Government set up a committee headed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, to ensure that Nigeria meets requirements the US said were not in place.

On February 5, the committee met with the US Consular General in Abuja with a view to addressing issues raised in the visa ban.
On Tuesday, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Mary Lenoard, explained that the visa ban was not permanent, adding that it was subject to review if certain conditions were met.

But while Nigeria is struggling with the US visa ban, the EU said it could impose restrictive visa implementation rules on it.

Mele Kyari, group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says electricity is a luxury only the elite in the country can afford.

Kyari made the statement at the Nigeria International Petroleum Summit in Abuja on Tuesday.

The summit with the theme, ‘Widening the integration circle: technology, knowledge, sustainability partnership’, saw the signing of a $1.1 million grant between the federal government and the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) as part funding for the Abuja independent power project (IPP).

Kyari said many Nigerians are still struggling to afford a day’s meal let alone electricity. He said the government must address the issue of the power supply before it can go into renewable energy.

“For this country and very many of us in sub-Saharan Africa, what we worry about today is actually the meals of today. There are many who can’t afford a meal a day. And of course, electricity is largely a luxury; it’s only for the elite, like all of us here,” Kyari said.

“It is the dream of very many to have I-pass-my-neighbour in their homes. When you say, ‘do not use fossil fuel,’ but you have not provided alternatives. The world has not looked at their situation. The world has not recognised that there is abject poverty in the communities.

“We have to resolve the issue of electricity so that we can talk about renewable energy in the future and reduce the use of fossil fuel that has a high impact on the environment. We know that there is an energy transition in the world. With time, there will be less dependence on fossil fuel.”

Kyari also said gas remains the cheapest source of power, and that efforts must be made to stop flaring it in the country. “We have gas in abundance, we must create an infrastructure that will help create gas for power generation,” he said. We need the power to create jobs and we must create prosperity so that we can have peace in our country. We are grateful for this grant.”

On his part, Thomas Hardy, USTDA director, said the grant was another demonstration of the US’ commitment to ensuring infrastructural development across the globe. He said the grant would be used for the feasibility study of the IPP and other infrastructure development projects in the energy sector.

He said the money will be released in tranches depending on the particular project in the sector. He said General Electric (GE) would provide all the technology for the IPP. “The grant is part-funding for the NNPC Abuja IPP modelled to generate 1,350 MW,” Hardy said.

“Nigeria is the largest population in Africa and we are proudly investing in the energy sector in the largest African nation to provide power to the rural communities.”

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested and arraigned a former staff of the Ondo state command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (formerly Nigerian Prison Service), Mrs Opadule Caroline Abimbola on a seven-count charge bordering on dishonesty and corruption.

Abimbola was accused of concealing the receipt of salary overpayments at various times in 2012 while still a staff of the prison service.

The public office holder was reportedly paid more than her monthly remuneration through her First Bank Salary account No. 2004992044, totalling N1.2m. The lady who allegedly refused to report the anomaly, was also accused of making a false statement to ICPC officials during the investigation.

She reportedly pleaded not guilty to all charges and she wasn’t opposed when her counsel, A. O. Oluwole made an oral application for bail.

Abimbola was granted bail of N1.5m and is expected to provide two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be in the employment of the state government and must be on Grade Level 10 or above.

The European Union says it can impose restrictive visa implementation rules on Nigeria if it fails to play its part in the return and readmission of its nationals staying illegally in the EU.

The EU, which comprises Germany, Italy, Spain, France and 23 other countries, further stated that although it would not place a visa ban on Nigeria, it could make its visas more difficult for Nigerian applicants if Nigeria failed to meet its standards.

The EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Virginie Battu-Henriksson, said this in an email chat with The PUNCH on Tuesday.

Recall that the United States had last month imposed an immigrant visa ban on Nigeria and five other countries.

Under the new policy, citizens of the affected countries would not be allowed to apply for visas to emigrate to the US under the policy aimed at tightening “security for countries that don’t comply with the US minimum security standards or cooperate to prevent illegal immigration.”

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Nigeria presents a high risk, relative to other countries in the world, of terrorist travel to the US.

The US further stated that Nigeria did not adequately share public-safety and terrorism-related information, which is necessary for the protection of the national security and public safety of the US.

Following the US action, the Federal Government set up a committee headed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, to ensure that Nigeria meets requirements the US said were not in place.

On February 5, the committee met with the US Consular General in Abuja with a view to addressing issues raised in the visa ban.
On Tuesday, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Mary Lenoard, explained that the visa ban was not permanent, adding that it was subject to review if certain conditions were met.

But while Nigeria is struggling with the US visa ban, the EU said it could impose restrictive visa implementation rules on it.