MEMBERS of the House of Representatives are angry with the South African Government.
Reson: Frequent attacks against Nigerians living in the Southern African country, the latest being the attack on about 26 Nigerians living in Port-Nolloth town.
The House said the eventual forceful ejection of the Nigerians from their homes on May 26, 2013 by their South African hosts over allegation of dealing in hard drugs is against the spirit of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Speaking on behalf of the 360-man House, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nnenna Ukeje (Abia PDP), described the reported attacks as distressing.
She said the renewed attacks came at a point when Nigerian and South African governments had shown commitment to fostering closer relationship between the two countries.
She recalled how the two countries in May, 2013 signed nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) in various sphere of human endeavours, regretting that, because of the attitude of the South African Government, such agreements have not effectively trickled down to the citizenry, especially those from South Africa.
She urged the affected Nigerians to remain calm and committed with assurances that the Federal Government will do everything possible to protect them.
In his reaction, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Martin Uhomoibhi, said that “Xenophobia under whatever guise is not acceptable. We believe that the action of some elements is inconsistent with our relations with South Africa and it does not have the blessings of our governments. Our relations with South Africa are in the best of forms following the recent visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Cape Town, South Africa and his participation at the World Economic Forum in the country. People must learn to work with their government”.
