The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara, has urged the Cuban government to expedite action on the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Cuba to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
According to a press statement issued by his spokesman Mr. Turaki Hassan on Thursday, March 17, 2016, the Speaker said this when he received the ambassador to Cuba, Carlos Trejo Sosa, in his office on Wednesday.
The Speaker promised that the House, on its part, will domesticate outstanding bilateral agreements, noting that during plenary, a motion asking the Attorney-General of the Federation to urgently gazette and forward all bilateral agreements, treaties and agreements and international memorandum of understanding (MOUs) the country has entered into with friendly nations and forward to the Presidency so it can transmit to the National Assembly.
”There are some treaties and agreements that have not been enforced because they have not been domesticated. I remember that even on the floor of the House today, there was a motion urging the Attorney-General of the Federation to, as a matter of urgency, ensure that all agreements, treaties, bilateral agreements and international MOUs are quickly gazetted and forwarded to Mr. President so that he can transmit them to the House,” Rt. Hon. Dogara told the ambassador.
He continued, “One other thing that will help us in moving forward our relationship with Cuba, obviously, in terms of cultural exchange visits is the bilateral air services agreement, known as BASA. Remember that it is still outstanding, it is something that we need to talk to our various agencies that are responsible to ensure that it is quickly concluded.”
Dogara, while thanking Cuba for scholarships offered to Nigerians to study in the country, also urged them to consider more collaboration in sports development, medicine and investment in Nigeria’s solid mineral, gas, and agricultural sectors.
Earlier, Ambassador Sosa called for more strengthened links between Cuba and Nigeria, noting that there are many areas that Nigeria and Cuba can collaborate to improve the lives of their citizens.
While urging the speaker to expedite action on pending bilateral agreements between the two countries, he also informed the speaker that his country seeks closer ties with Nigeria, especially in the areas of parliamentary friendship and the economy.
