The South African High Commissioner to Nigeria,
Lulu Mnguni, has reported his administration’s choice to initiate the issuance
of 5-year visas to Nigerian experts, businessmen and other regular fliers.
Munguni said his administration was currently
arranged to wipe out the troubles typically confronted by Nigerians when
looking for South African visas.
The diplomat also said his government was moving
away from having political diplomacy to more of economic diplomacy with
Nigeria.
“There has been growing concerns from both
Nigeria and South Africa on the issue of visas. There have been complaints by
Nigerians on how they are treated when seeking visas,” he said.
“Our president has indicated that Nigeria and
South Africa need to intervene by making it easier for our nationals to have
visas to our two countries.
“We came to an agreement that business people
and frequent fliers between South Africa and Nigeria will qualify for long-term
visas of two, three, and five years. We have totally moved from political
diplomacy to economic diplomacy. And to promote this new economic diplomacy,
there needs to be a smooth movement of people between our two countries.”
Mnguni said he had made a proposition to his
Government for the enrollment of more staff, in order to have the capacity to
quickly take care of the interest of Nigerians for visas to South Africa.
“We need a friendship that resides with our
people. Nigeria and South Africa need to criticise each other in a constructive
way,” he said.
South Africa is one of the main destinations for
Nigerians who travel abroad. As at 2013, there were more than 250,000 Nigerians
dwelling in the nation.
“We need to look at how we can unplug some of
the irritants that have undermined our cohesion.”
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