*Warns that while countries were free to set out measures to protect their citizens, Nigeria should not be singled out
Doosuur Iwambe
The Federal Government, on Monday, said it has initiated diplomatic steps to make the United Kingdom and other countries reverse restrictions imposed on travellers from Nigeria on account of the Covid-19 Omicron variant.
The Daily Times recalls that following the cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant reported in Nigeria, the United Kingdom had announced that non-UK and non-Irish citizens travelling in from Nigeria will not be allowed entry into the country.
Saudi Arabia had also imposed a temporary ban on flights from Nigeria while Canada banned travel from Nigeria and nine other African countries over Omicron variant concerns.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman Presidential Steering Committee on CoVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, who disclosed Federal Government position during a briefing at the State House Abuja, on Monday, said: “The PSC is working with mandate ministries to address the issues surrounding the restriction imposed by some countries on travellers from Nigeria on account of the omicron variant.”
He said the Federal Government has initiated diplomatic steps to make the United Kingdom and other countries reverse restrictions imposed on travellers from Nigeria on account of the omicron variant.
The PSC chairman warned that while each country was free to put in place measures to protect its citizens, Nigeria should not be singled out.
Mustapha said the government was exploring diplomatic measures in resolving the issues surrounding the travel ban based on existing relationships.
He said: “While each country is entitled to put in place measures to protect its citizens, Nigeria has similar responsibilities.
“However, based on existing relationships, Nigeria has initiated diplomatic steps to make these countries reverse their course.
“This is ongoing in the interest of all parties concerned and we expect that positive results would emerge within the next one week.
“The PSC also evaluated the developments on the relationship between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and we are pleased to inform you that the position of the Federal Government is in line with established International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Protocols and the spirit of the BASA signed with the UAE.
“Our sovereignty remains paramount and mutual respects shall be our guiding principle in as much as it should be in the best interest of Nigeria.
“The PSC will at its next regular briefing on Monday, December 20, 2021 brief you fully on developments,” he said.
The SGF noted that with the emergence of the new COVID-19 Omicron variant, now spreading very fast globally, Nigeria has continued to study developments and has deployed science and data to measure the risks to our citizens especially, the dangers of importation.
He assured Nigerians that PSC has escalated all surveillance and control measures around our country.
The committee, according to the SGF, has similarly ramped up vaccination of eligible citizens and residents while making provisions for booster shots for those fully vaccinated.
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