The Federal Ministry of Health (FMH) issued a statement in April saying those who wish to be evacuated from abroad will pay for their flight ticket and will also be placed on a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Some Nigerians from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United States and the United Kingdom have been evacuated and are currently isolated in Lagos and Abuja hotels with bills placed on the government.
The Federal government can no longer foot the bills as a letter sent to stranded Nigerians says henceforth, they will pay their hotel and feeding bills once they get to Nigeria and go into the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
This is a copy of the letter sent to Nigerians residing in the State of Kuwait by the Embassy of Nigeria
“Re: Request for evacuation of Nigerian nationals in the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, reads 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.”
All evacuees are to pay the aforementioned amount for their quarantine/isolation/centre/hotels directly to the airline along with their tickets. Evacuees have the 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.”
A letter dated 14th May and sent to Nigerians via the Embassy of Nigeria in Bangkok, Thailand, and signed by the Head of Chancery, Nicholas P. Uhomoibhi, reads in part.
“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.”