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Tag: Evacuation

  • Covid-19: FG approves another flight to evacuate Nigerians stranded in US

    Covid-19: FG approves another flight to evacuate Nigerians stranded in US

    The Federal Government has approved another evacuation flight to enable Nigerians stranded in the United States amid the coronavirus pandemic return home.

    The Consulate General of Nigeria, New York, announced this in a statement, noting that the flight has been scheduled for July 17.

    It said the flight would take-off from the Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey, and arrive at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The statement partly read, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a 3rd evacuation flight for stranded Nigerians in the USA, which will be Ethiopian Airlines, Flight No. ET509 scheduled to depart Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey on Friday, July 17, 2020 by 2115hrs and arrive Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja by 1325hrs on Saturday, July 18, 2020.

    “Consequently, all prospective evacuees, duly registered with any of the three Nigerian Missions in the USA, should purchase their one-way ticket on Ethiopian Airlines’ website at the cost of USD1,250 for Economy and USD2,800 for Business Class.”

    The Consulate stressed that evacuees would observe the repatriation protocols put in place by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19.

    It said returnees must test negative for Covid-19 before departure and would be made to undergo mandatory 14 days self-isolation and take another Covid-19 test upon arrival in Nigeria.

    A total of 160 Nigerians had been evacuated from the US on May 10 while the second evacuation flight has been fixed from the Newark Airport to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport for July 3.

  • FG to evacuate 1,000 Nigerians stranded abroad this week

    FG to evacuate 1,000 Nigerians stranded abroad this week

    The Federal Government is to evacuate 1,000 Nigerians this week, the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) has said.

    Over 4,000 Nigerians are stranded across the world following the global lockdown occassioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    As at June 13, 1,523 Nigerians have been evacuated.

    APTF Coordinator, Dr. Sani Aliyu, disclosed during the daily briefing of the Task Force that 500 evacuees would land in Abuja and the other 500 in Lagos.

    He said they will be coming in under the new evacuation protocol, which demands for a pre-evacuation test and 14- day self isolation on arrival against the former government -monitored isolation in hotels.

    Details shortly…

  • Air Peace evacuates 301 Chinese from Nigeria

    Air Peace has evacuated 301 Chinese from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, China’s most populous, commercial city.

    Mr Stanley Olisa, Spokesman of the airline, said in a statement on Friday that the evacuation which took place on Thursday was arranged by the Chinese government.

    Olisa said that the flight took off about 10: 05p.m. Nigerian time and arrived China at about 1:15 p.m. Nigerian time on Friday.

    He said that Air Peace was also the airline that evacuated Israelis in Nigeria late March and has been contacted by other countries for evacuation operations.

    “Air Peace on Thursday, May 28, operated its second flight to China as we evacuated 301 Chinese nationals back to their country,” he said.

    He added The flight departed the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at exactly 10.05 p.m to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, China.

    He said Air Peace deployed its Boeing 777 aircraft with the registration number 5N-BWI for the evacuation exercise.

    The Regional Airport Manager, South West, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Victoria Shin-Aba, said the flight: P47807 pushed back from the Echo terminal of MMIA at 9:40p.m. with 325 souls onboard – 301 Chinese evacuees and 24 crew members.

    She explained that all relevant government agencies such as FAAN, Nigeria Immigration Service, Port Health Services officials and others were fully on ground to ensure the success of the evacuation exercise.

    “Air Peace is slated to carry out more evacuation operations for other nationals living in Nigeria, as the airline and other domestic operators gear up to resume scheduled flight operations soon.

    “There are indications that commercial flight operations would resume early June, as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has started auditing airlines in preparation for scheduled passenger service,” she said.

  • BREAKING: FG suspends evacuation of stranded Nigerians abroad

    BREAKING: FG suspends evacuation of stranded Nigerians abroad

    The Federal Government has suspended further evacuation of stranded Nigerians overseas.

    The development, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama is to allow take-off of a new policy on evacuation of Nigerians.

    Onyeama said henceforth evacuated Nigerians would not have to go straight into 14-day government monitored isolation if they test negative from their country of origin.

    The Minister said the new policy will take effect from next week.

    Consequently, he said further evacuation process has been suspended to give way for the take- off of the new policy.

    He said with the new policy evacuees will have to be tested at most nine days before their flight take off.

    He said those who test positive will not be allowed on the flight

    The new policy, he said will give the government enough latitude to fly more Nigerians home.

    Nigeria has evacuated 989 stranded citizens with 265 from United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom (253); United States (160); Saudi Arabia (292) and Lebanon (57)

     

    Details shortly…

  • NCC clears air over alleged evacuation of Diaspora Commission from Digital Economy Complex

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has cleared the air on an a video making the rounds on social media alleging that the Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NDC) was thrown out of the NCC building.

    In a statement signed by Henry Nkemadu, Director, Public Affair (NCC), the communication agency agency explained following the completion of the NCC building at Mbora, Abuja designated as NCC Annex and the acute shortage of accommodation space for the staff of the Commission in the NCC Head Office at Maitama, Abuja, the Board of the Commission directed the decongestion of the Head Office Building.

    “Some of the departments of the NCC had started moving to the new Office Complex of Five (5) Floors when discussions were held between the NCC and the Diaspora Commission to enable the Diaspora Commission also to utilise any free offices within the Complex.

    “The fifth floor allocated to NDC had to be used to accommodate other departments from the NCC Headquarters to ease the congestion. NCC’s offer to house the NDC was predicated on the long-held position of the NCC that agencies of government will achieve more through strategic collaboration, partnership, synergy and sharing to the extent allowed by relevant laws.

    “During this period, the NCC secured approval for the commissioning of the Office Complex by the President, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari and the launching of four important projects of the NCC and the renamed Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMC&DE):
    “The projects include the launching and unveiling of the Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020-2025; the commissioning of the Communications and Digital Economy Complex; the launching of the Emergency Communications Centre and Toll-Free number 112; and flag-off of the Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training.

    “These important projects were a culmination of extensive collaboration between NCC and the other parastatals of the FMC&DE and fittingly, the Complex was renamed the COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL ECONOMY COMPLEX in tandem with the new drive of the Federal Government towards a digital economy.

    “The NCC has not withdrawn the offer but had hiccups arising from the preparation for the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate the Communications and Digital Economy Complex and launch of other projects relating to the mandate of government.

    The Board and Management of the NCC took a decision to ensure that every activity in the building was in line with the Federal Government’s digital agenda.

    Incidentally, after the offer of the office spaces to the NDC, the Director General, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa had not visited the Complex to take possession of any of the offices and also the Commission had not started using any of these spaces as offices.

    As is usual in ensuring security and accountability before, during and after presidential visits, the building had to be cleared to allow for only known and identifiable persons to have access within the Complex. Therefore, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, could not have sent armed men to drive the staff of the Diaspora Commission out of the Communications and Digital Economy Complex.

    At this time, only NCC staff were accredited to have access within this premises, as required by the security officials. All the properties belonging to the Diaspora Commission are safely warehoused in some of the offices in the Complex.

    This is contrary to the position of the Director General of NDC that the removal of her Commission from the building was punitive. This is not the correct position and we agree with her that there are always challenges in every human activity but the unforeseen challenges that arose in this case are not different but require understanding of all concerned.

     

  • Evacuation criteria: FG broke, says Nigerians stranded abroad must pay N297k each for quarantine

    Troubled by the cost of evacuating its citizens abroad, the federal government has unveiled a new policy that requires Nigerians stranded abroad to offset their two-week quarantine bill as a prerequisite for possible evacuation.
    Before now, the returnees were only required to pay for their flight while the government took care of their two weeks stay in isolation.

    Returnees from United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United States and the United Kingdom who are currently kept in Lagos and Abuja hotels are being taken care of by the government. The new guidelines stopped that.

    The new guidelines have been sent to Embassies and High Commissions which have communicated them to Nigerians wishing to return home.

    The government said it imposed the fees “due to measures that are beyond the control of COVID-19 local organizing team.”

    The new directive was revealed in a letter to the evacuees signed by the Head of Chancery, Nigerian Mission in Thailand, Nicholas Uhomoibhi, and dated May 14, 2020.

    There were indications last night that the government could no longer afford the cost of taking care for two weeks, of the estimated 4,000 Nigerians who have indicated interest to return.

    The letter said: “I am directed to bring to your attention due to measures that are beyond the control of COVID-19 local organizing team in Nigeria, all evacuees going to Nigeria henceforth are to now pay for their quarantine, isolation, accommodation centre or hotels before departure and arrival in Nigeria

    “In this regard, all prospective evacuees are to note the negotiated rate below: Accommodation (N15,000 x16 days=N240,000) and Feeding (N3,600 x16 days=N57,600). Total: N297,600 at N18,600 x16 days”

    Kindly be informed that these rates were negotiated in Nigeria and that the Embassy has been instructed not to airlift any evacuee who fails to pay the above fee.”

    A similar letter sent to all Nigerians in the State of Kuwait by the Embassy of Nigeria on May 13, 2020, said the evacuees will pay N297,600 for their quarantine in Nigeria apart from the air fares.

    The letter, titled “Re: Request for evacuation of Nigerian nationals in the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.” said in part: “Further to our notice of 5th April 2020 on the above mentioned subject matter, the Embassy wishes to inform that all intending evacuees are to pay for their quarantine/isolation/accommodation/centre/hotels before departure and arrival in Nigeria.

    “The negotiated rate is as follows: Accommodation-N240,000 (N15,000 x16 days); Feeding-N57,6009( N3,600 x 16 days). Total- N297,600 (N18,600 x16 days).

    “All evacuees are to pay the aforementioned amount for their quarantine/isolation/centre/hotels directly to the airline along with their tickets. Evacuees have option to pay in dollars or its equivalent in Naira.

    “It is important to note that evacuees that do not pay for their quarantine/isolation/accommodation/ centre/ hotels will not be allowed to board the flight.”

    For Turkey, the Embassy in Ankara informed them with a May 13 memo to pay N297,600.

  • COVID-19: Evacuation of Nigerians stranded in Canada postponed

    About 200 Nigerian citizens stranded in Canada hoping to return home on Thursday will have to wait as their evacuation flight has been postponed.

    The Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa, which is organising the flight, announced the postponement in a statement, citing “logistics issues” beyond its control.

    It specifically blamed the inability of Air Peace – the chosen carrier – to secure “overflight and landing permits” from the Canadian authorities on time.

    “These challenges are as a result of the fact that Air Peace is flying this route for the first time.

    “The high commission opted for Air Peace because the air fare was relatively more affordable compared to the offers of other airlines that were contacted.

    “This is coupled with the fact that only Air Peace had agreed to convey the evacuees from more than one location in Canada,” the mission stated.

    It said a new date would be announced as soon as the airline secured the clearance from the Canadian authorities.

    The plane, a Boeing 777 aircraft, was scheduled to fly from Lagos to convey the passengers from two locations in Canada, namely Toronto and Alberta.

    According to the flight schedule, the plane was expected to pick the first set from the Pearson International Airport, Toronto.

    From there it would fly to the Calgary International Airport, Alberta, a distance of 2,915 k.m., to pick the second set of passengers.

    The prospective passengers had been given until Tuesday to book the special flight directly with the airline.

  • 72 Nigerians awaiting evacuation in China test positive

    Seventy-two Nigerians awaiting evacuation in Guangzhou city, Guangdong Province of China have tested positive for the coronavirus disease.

    The results of the tests conducted on 56 Nigerians, which were released on Tuesday, indicated that the affected individuals were asymptomatic, raising concern that they might have infected other people.

    It was learnt that that 16 Nigerians had earlier tested positive for the virus, bringing the total number to 72.

    The Chinese authorities explained that 65 persons who had contact with the positive cases were being traced.

    The Foreign Affairs Office of Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government disclosed this in a note verbale (diplomatic correspondence) to the Nigerian Consulate in Guangzhou dated April 22, 2020.

    The note, which was also copied to the Nigerian Embassy in China, as well as the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, indicated that 16 Nigerians had earlier been confirmed positive.

    The correspondence sighted by our correspondent on Wednesday read in part, “According to the data by the Guangzhou Municipal Health Commission on April 21, there are currently 16 confirmed cases and 56 positive test cases among Nigerian citizens in Guangzhou, as well as 65 cases of contact.

    “We invite the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Guangzhou to supervise Nigerian citizens in Guangzhou so they can abide by the law of the People’s Republic of China on the prevention and control of infectious diseases.”

    “Asian citizens understand Guangzhou’s epidemic prevention and control; work and cooperate with China’s political support.”

    The note verbal was written in Mandarin and translated into English using Google Translate.

  • Nigerians in UK to undergo ‘N155k Covid-19 test’ before evacuation – FG

    Nigerians in UK to undergo ‘N155k Covid-19 test’ before evacuation – FG

    Nigerians living in the United Kingdom, UK must undergo a £350 ( N155,750, using CBN exchange rate of £1 to N445) testing for coronavirus before they can be evacuated, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.

    Nigerians affected have expressed displeasure at the latest requirement, saying it was not part of conditions initially given to them.

    This is happening at a time many Nigerians in the UK are unable to meet the testing conditions of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).

    The commission had earlier suggested to Nigerians interested in returning home to use private coronavirus laboratory test, said to cost £350.

    “We understand that it may be difficult through the NHS as some may not meet the NHS conditions. However, Nigerians in the UK interested in having a private COVID-19 laboratory test within the United Kingdom can use Private laboratory, one of which is COVID19@mobihealthinternational.com or contact Dr Funmi Adewara on +447753656688,” the commission said in a memo.

    “This is a Public Health England-approved COVID-19 testing kit. Laboratory results are said to be within 3-5 working days. The test is for patients 16 years and older. So, you are free to make your options and decisions, as we look forward to bringing you back home.

    You will not be allowed to board without having done the COVID – 19 Test,” it stated.

    When contacted Adewara, named in the memo, confirmed the kit costs £350, that is N155,750, using CBN exchange rate of £1 to N445 .

    However, a Nigerian who resides in UK, Agboola Odesanya told TNG, that Adewara has sent them another message following the protests by Nigerians.

    NiDCOM says the airlines will need between 100 and 150 people to evacuate at a reasonable fee. The commission has begun receiving applications for evacuation but will not begin testing until the applications reach 100.

    Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ferdinand Nwonye confirmed that the mission in London has confirmed that those who are willing to be evacuated would be tested but what is however not confirmed is if those who are covid-19 positive would be put on the same aircraft with those who are negative.

    Some 100 people so far have indicated interest in leaving the UK, and another 45 in the US, according to the commission. Last week, the foreign affairs ministry instructed its missions to compile lists of Nigerians abroad who may want to return in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak. It said they would go into 14-day mandatory isolation upon return to Nigeria.

  • Xenophobia: FG announces date for next evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa

    The evacuation of next batch of Nigerians in South Africa is likely to be on Saturday, it has been learnt.

    187 Nigerians, made up of 30 children, were lifted from the OR Tambo International Airport on Johannesburg on Wednesday.

    It was also gathered the collation of names for the intending returnees is ongoing.

    Confirming the date of the next flight, President of Nigerian Citizen Association, South Africa (NICASA), Prince Ben Okoli, said: “We are busy doing the collating of names of intending returnees for the next flight. Hopefully according to the Consul General the next evacuation will be done on Saturday.

    “It is not true that anyone was refused departure to Lagos because of any immigration matter.

    “Yes it is true that some had immigration matters but that was quickly fixed by the Consul General who was on the scene to ensure their smooth evacuation.”

    Over 600 Nigerians had indicated interest to return to Nigeria following the recent xenophobic attacks on other nationals in South Africa.

    The gesture of the Air Peace management to provide free airlift also helped in facilitating their return.