THE House of Representatives has rejected a motion to address the migration of Nigerians to other countries in search of a better life.
A member, Victor Agbese prayed the House to urge the Federal Government to declare the “Japa” (migration) syndrome a national emergency and convene a national summit to address the matter but it was voted against by majority of the lawmakers.
With Nigeria’s unemployment rate at a new record high of 33.3 percent, the mass exodus known as the ‘Japa’ phenomenon has been in full swing for a while.
Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States are some of the top destinations for Nigerian youths relocating in pursuit of better education, employment and security purposes, among other reasons.
Amid reports of importation licence of Petroleum Motor Spirit known as petrol granted to only Dangote refinery, the House also on Thursday rejected a motion to suspend the licence.
A member of the House had prayed the house to urge the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to suspend the licence and expand the option to other capable importers but the lawmakers voted against the motion.
The NNPCL had denied claims that it already gave a licence to Aliko Dangote, owner of the Dangote refinery to import petrol.
The company stated that it is not within its jurisdiction to grant a licence or permit for fuel import.