FG tackles UAE over visa ban, flight restriction

The Federal Government have begun moves to tackle the United Arab Emirates over its visa ban and flight restriction against Nigeria.

The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele, on Monday, expressed displeasure over the decision of the UAE to impose a visa ban on Nigerians as well as stop Emirates Airline from flying into the country.

He said Nigeria is a big market for their business, adding that they should not continue to threaten the country over little disagreements.

The CBN governor spoke at a meeting convened by the leadership of the House of Representatives to resolve the $700 million of trapped funds of foreign airlines operating in the country.

Emefiele said the Federal Government was making efforts to ensure the money was repatriated to the various countries, adding that the measures adopted by the UAE were unnecessary.

The CBN governor said the state of the global economy was making it difficult to generate foreign exchange to enable the countries get their money back.

He assured those concerned that the money would be paid.

House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said the issue of blocked or trapped funds of foreign airlines was giving the House a lot of concerns.

The Speaker, who also said the principle of reciprocity requires that Nigerian carriers are also allowed to fly into countries whose airlines have a huge market in the country.