From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Senate Committee on Diaspora, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), has called for a reform of the Act governing the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to making it a revenue-generating agency.
According to a statement by Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NiDCOM, Abuja, Gabriel Odu, the chairman of the committee, Sen. Michael Nnachi, who led members of the committee on an oversight visit to the Commission in Abuja, stated that after looking into NiDCOM’s operations, financing was found to be one area that was urgently needed to enable it quickly address the numerous grievances and issues that Nigerian nationals living overseas brought to its attention.
According to him, “budget allocated is insufficient for the nature and volume of work carried out by the Commission.” The Senate Committee chair also recommended that the Senate should revise the Act which limits some actions and sources of money for the Commission, in order to give NiDCOM the best chance to perform its tasks effectively and without further hindrances.
NiDCOM boss, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the Senate Committee for their concern and support, adding that the body is actively ready to work more inclusively with the Committee in all her activities and events especially the upcoming National Diaspora Investment Summit scheduled for 15th to 17th November, 2022.
She expressed her confidence that the requests of the Commission will be favourably answered at the end of the budget defence and this will catapult NiDCOM’s engagements with her Diaspora for national development.