Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, has called on the federal government to take drastic measures against multinational companies operating in the country, particularly those linked to South Africa, over their excesses and the purported maltreatment of Nigerians abroad, news.ng reports.
During a heated plenary session on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, the Edo State lawmaker pointed an accusing finger at DStv for allegedly transferring millions of dollars out of the country while engaging in unethical practices he claimed would not be condoned in its country of origin.
“To revoke the DSCV, which is also a South African company that is cutting away millions of dollars, even abusing, resorting to practises that would not even be accepted in South Africa,” he said.
Senator Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State, emphasised that the Nigerian Senate must match its words with actions by initiating stiff penalties against erring multinational companies to protect the interests of Nigerian citizens.
“I don’t want this Senate to be shedding tears, to sympathise with those who have died. We didn’t come here to shed tears, and I’m not going to share tears,” Oshiomhole stated.
The former National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) described the situation as an economic conflict, calling for reciprocal measures targeted at South African companies.
“If you hit me, I hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It’s an economic struggle. What the black South Africans are saying is that Nigerians are taking their jobs. Okay, Nigerians, come home. I’ll take over the job of MTN Group.”
Oshiomhole urged the federal government to approach the situation with a level of audacity, rather than being seen as a helpless and beggarly country that cannot protect the interests of its citizens in another country.
“He will go on his knees to recognise that us, Nigerians, cannot be treated, and we do not condone any war that has been lost. If a crime has been committed under South African law, they have the right to bring any sort of person to justice. But to kill our people as if we are helpless, we are not,” Oshiomhole stated.
