Covid19 Evacuees from Bangkok have been directed to pay for their upkeep upon arrival at isolation centres in Nigeria.
In a letter circulated today and dated 14th May, 2020 by the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok, the directive was given by the local organising team of COVID19 in Nigeria under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The covid19 evacuees are to pay the total sum of N297,600. broken down into feeding for 16 days amounting to N240,000 for accommodation and feeding N57,600. All payments are to be made before departure from the countries of abode.
The letter was signed by the Head of Chancery, Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, Nicholas Uhomoibhi.
The letter reads:
NEED TO PAY FOR QUARANTINE, ISOLATION, ACCOMODATION CENTRE OR HOTELS BEFORE DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL IN NIGERIA
I am directed to bring to your attention that due to the measures that are beyond the control of the covid19 local organising team in Nigeria, all evacuees going to Nigeria henceforth are to pay for their Quarantine, Isolation, Accommodation Centre or Hotels before departure and arrival in Nigeria.
In this regard, all prospective covid19 evacuees are to note the negotiated rate below:
- Accommodation: N15,000 x 16 days = N240,000
- Feeding N3,600 x 16 days = N57,600
- Total = 18,600 x 16 days = N297,400
Kindly be informed that these rates are negotiated in Nigeria and that the Embassy has been instructed NOT to airlift any evacuee who fails to pay the above fee.”
The fees are to be paid in dollars or the Naira equivalent.
The Minister of External Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, today, defended the position of the government saying the development is due to lack of funds. He also cited Nigeria’s fragile health infrastructure saying that it is a decision that was very difficult to take.
Reports say that a similar letter has been sent to Nigerians living in Kuwait by the Nigerian Embassy in the country.