African countries to abolish visas for Nigerians – Lai Mohammed

Twenty Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed has disclosed how President Muhammadu Buhari is
spearheading a programme where Africans, including Nigeria, would
not need visas to visit other African countries.

The minister said once the move is accomplished and the visa
regime is liberalised, tourists would be encouraged to visit
African countries.

Mohammed made these known when he briefed newsmen, shortly after
defending the sector’s budget before the Senate Committee on
Tourism, in Abuja, yesterday.

The minister noted that there is an improvement in Nigeria’s
visa regime and that the current “visa on arrival programme”
recently introduced by the Federal Government, is working very
well.

Also, 24 hours after Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun told
visitors that the Federal Government will soon release N750 billion
to fund capital projects in the 2017 budget, Mohammed, also spoke
on the level of implementation.

“It is not that government is deliberately withholding releases
to fund the 2017 budget or starving us. It is because we do not
have enough money to do that.

“When budgets are made, they are made based on certain
assumptions and if you are not able to get enough to meet your
assumptions, there will be poor release.

“At least, there is improvement in different sectors like the
Nigeria Customs Service, while the price of crude oil is getting
better. There is also more peace in the Niger Delta. So we can
produce more,’’ the minister disclosed.

He opined that Public, Private Partnership is one of the most
viable ways to revive the tourism sector and that efforts are being
made by the present administration in that direction.

The minister also said there is remarkable improvement in the
sector’s activities.

He said: “Anybody who has been observing what is happening in
the creative industry, including culture, film industry, fashion,
will see that there is remarkable transformation and that is
because government has provided the enabling environment.

“The creative industry is on a tripod, the government, the
private sector and the practitioners and what government has done
is to give the support that the industry needs to grow.

“For instance, sometime this year, the Federal Government
included the film industry in the list of industries that will
enjoy pioneer status. What this means is that if you invest in this
industry with a certain amount of money, you will be entitled to
tax holiday for three years at the initial stage and another two
years. In addition, dividends from your businesses will be exempted
from taxation. This is one of the incentives government has
given.”

The Minister said meetings had been held with relevant
stakeholders in ensuring that they contributed their quota to the
development of the sector.

“At the creative industry financing summit held recently, we met
with the Inspector General of Police to express our concern at the
rate of piracy. He immediately set up an anti-piracy unit in each
command of the federation.

“We also met the Central Bank Governor asking for an
intervention fund to the tune of 100 million dollars to enable
people in the industry to invest in infrastructure. Also, as I
speak to you, we are talking to NEXIM Bank. We are equally talking
to some investors, who are ready to bring in 20 million
dollars.

“This is to enable the industries, especially the film industry
to have cinema houses all over the country. So, what is important
is enabling environment,’’ he said.

Mohammed listed part of the present government’s achievements to
include revival of the Presidential Council on Tourism, headed by
the President, with ministers as members.

Twenty Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed has disclosed how President Muhammadu Buhari is
spearheading a programme where Africans, including Nigeria, would
not need visas to visit other African countries.

The minister said once the move is accomplished and the visa
regime is liberalised, tourists would be encouraged to visit
African countries.

Mohammed made these known when he briefed newsmen, shortly after
defending the sector’s budget before the Senate Committee on
Tourism, in Abuja, yesterday.

The minister noted that there is an improvement in Nigeria’s
visa regime and that the current “visa on arrival programme”
recently introduced by the Federal Government, is working very
well.

Also, 24 hours after Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun told
visitors that the Federal Government will soon release N750 billion
to fund capital projects in the 2017 budget, Mohammed, also spoke
on the level of implementation.

“It is not that government is deliberately withholding releases
to fund the 2017 budget or starving us. It is because we do not
have enough money to do that.

“When budgets are made, they are made based on certain
assumptions and if you are not able to get enough to meet your
assumptions, there will be poor release.

“At least, there is improvement in different sectors like the
Nigeria Customs Service, while the price of crude oil is getting
better. There is also more peace in the Niger Delta. So we can
produce more,’’ the minister disclosed.

He opined that Public, Private Partnership is one of the most
viable ways to revive the tourism sector and that efforts are being
made by the present administration in that direction.

The minister also said there is remarkable improvement in the
sector’s activities.

He said: “Anybody who has been observing what is happening in
the creative industry, including culture, film industry, fashion,
will see that there is remarkable transformation and that is
because government has provided the enabling environment.

“The creative industry is on a tripod, the government, the
private sector and the practitioners and what government has done
is to give the support that the industry needs to grow.

“For instance, sometime this year, the Federal Government
included the film industry in the list of industries that will
enjoy pioneer status. What this means is that if you invest in this
industry with a certain amount of money, you will be entitled to
tax holiday for three years at the initial stage and another two
years. In addition, dividends from your businesses will be exempted
from taxation. This is one of the incentives government has
given.”

The Minister said meetings had been held with relevant
stakeholders in ensuring that they contributed their quota to the
development of the sector.

“At the creative industry financing summit held recently, we met
with the Inspector General of Police to express our concern at the
rate of piracy. He immediately set up an anti-piracy unit in each
command of the federation.

“We also met the Central Bank Governor asking for an
intervention fund to the tune of 100 million dollars to enable
people in the industry to invest in infrastructure. Also, as I
speak to you, we are talking to NEXIM Bank. We are equally talking
to some investors, who are ready to bring in 20 million
dollars.

“This is to enable the industries, especially the film industry
to have cinema houses all over the country. So, what is important
is enabling environment,’’ he said.

Mohammed listed part of the present government’s achievements to
include revival of the Presidential Council on Tourism, headed by
the President, with ministers as members.