Nigeria ready to work with EU to tackle illegal migration of citizens – Saraki

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday said that Nigeria was ready to work closely with the European Union in tackling the rising incidence of illegal migration from the country to Europe through dangerous routes.

Saraki, according to a statement in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, gave the pledge when a high level EU delegation comprising representatives from United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and other European countries visited him in Abuja.

He stated that the National Assembly will collaborate with the Executive to ensure that all pending agreements between Nigeria and European countries on issues of migration and mobility are resolved and signed by both parties as a direct means of preventing illegal migration from the subregion to Europe.

He stated that already the Senate had commenced the enactment of legislations that would foster better economic conditions in the country as a way of discouraging illegal migration.

Saraki said: “We need to begin to see how best the two continents can work very closely together to solve this challenge. How best we address the issue of migration will define the future of our two continents and I want to say that the Senate and the National Assembly, we are very keen to see whatever we can do to support and facilitate bringing solutions to it.

“Just last week there was a motion on the floor of the Senate and we have set up a Committee to investigate the unfortunate incident of the 26 women that died recently as they tried to migrate to Europe.

“These are issues that I think we all have the responsibility as elected members of parliament to see that we really put an end to them. The level of criminality and criminal gangs that are now building up and seeing this as a commercial activity is very scary and I think it is an alarm we must sit down to find lasting solutions to.

“What I can assure you on our part, is that we are committed to begin to address some of the issues. For instance, for a long time there are some agreements that are outstanding that we have not been able to conclude. We need to address this.”