OSHIOMHOLE CALLS FOR SOUTH AFRICAN FIRMS’ PROFITS TO COMPENSATE ATTACK VICTIMS
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
Senator Adams Oshiomhole has urged the Federal Government to seize the profits of South African companies operating in Nigeria and use the funds to compensate Nigerians whose businesses and properties were destroyed during recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The former Edo State governor made the call on Tuesday during plenary while reacting to remarks by South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who ruled out compensation for affected Nigerians.
Ntshavheni had maintained that compensation would only be paid for legally registered properties, arguing that assets in informal settlements did not qualify. She also cited alleged drug-related activities involving some Nigerians in South Africa while defending her government’s position.
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Responding, Oshiomhole dismissed the explanation, insisting that the destruction of Nigerian-owned businesses could not be justified, regardless of whether the affected properties were formally registered.
“Following comments by the South African minister to the effect that compensation will not be paid to those Nigerians whose properties were looted, shops bombed and lives even lost, the government of Nigeria should reciprocate by appropriating the profits of South African companies, including their banks, IBTC, and use the money to compensate Nigerians,” he said.
The senator also criticised the South African government’s handling of the attacks, noting that authorities appeared to have accepted a mob-imposed deadline for Nigerians to leave the country.
“We cannot allow a situation where Nigerian taxpayers bear the burden of compensation while South African companies continue to make profits in Nigeria without consequence.
“I urge the government to appropriate those profits and use them to compensate Nigerians whose businesses were destroyed and whose lives and livelihoods were affected. The facts are already clear and require no further investigation,” Oshiomhole added.
South African companies, including MTN and several financial institutions, maintain substantial investments in Nigeria, one of their largest markets on the African continent.
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