Bankole seeks equity in Nigeria, South Africa relations

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA—The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole has called for equity between Nigeria and South Africa in the area of socio-economic relations.

Making the call during a visit to the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, in Cape Town as part of the 10th anniversary celebration of South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission, BNC, the Speaker said since the establishment of the Commission ten years ago, the relations between South Africa and Nigeria has been lopsided in favour of South Africa in the area of business, consular and diplomatic affairs.

“Since the establishment of the Bi-national Commission, we have seen many South African companies getting licences for business and posting good balance sheets from their business in Nigeria but what we have with Nigerian companies trying to make in road into the  South Africa economy is delay in getting licences, and in actualizing mutually beneficial business opportunities,” Bankole stated.

He said the parliament of both countries should work together to reverse this trend after a decade of the commission, adding that with the two countries working in unison much economic development can be  achieved not only for the two countries but the whole of Africa.

Bankole, who noted that the role of Nigeria in liberating South Africa from the clutches of apartheid decried the recent wave of xenophobia where other Black Africans particularly Nigerians were attacked, adding that while South Africa had apologized, the two parliament must work together to prevent a reoccurrence and eliminate the ugly phenomenon in the spirit of African brotherhood.