During a budget defense session, the joint committee of the National Assembly on Interior expressed concerns about the issuance of expatriate quotas permits by the Ministry of Interior, alleging that it serves as a means for expatriates to take jobs away from Nigerians.
The committee engaged with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the session.
The Ministry revealed that it had exceeded its budgetary target of N600 million in revenue from expatriate quotas issuance for the fiscal year 2023, generating N1.195 billion from January to October.
However, the committee raised questions about the potential misuse of expatriate quotas, allowing foreign workers to take jobs meant for Nigerians.
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Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the Chairman of the joint committee, expressed concerns about the lack of proper regulation in the issuance of expatriate quotas, citing instances where non-Nigerians, including foreign prisoners, were reportedly working in Nigeria.
Oshiomhole emphasized the need for stringent measures to protect job opportunities for Nigerians and prevent exploitation by foreign entities.
The committee urged the Ministry to address the alleged fraud in the oil industry, where qualified Nigerian engineers work under foreign technicians due to the expatriate quotas policy.
Oshiomhole warned that if provoked, he would disclose the names of companies involved in such practices.
In response, Minister Tunji-Ojo assured the committee that the ministry had developed the Expatriate Employee Network project.
The project aims to protect jobs for Nigerians and prevent expatriates from evading tax payments.
The minister emphasized the commitment to addressing the identified challenges and ensuring that the expatriate quotas policy benefits the Nigerian workforce.
The National Assembly continues to scrutinize policies and practices to safeguard the interests and opportunities of Nigerian citizens in the workforce.
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