Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
Nigerian government has concluded an arrangement to evacuate over 700 Nigerians stranded in the United States of America back to Nigeria, saying that the evacuation will commenced by the 10th of May. The Consulate-General of Nigeria in New York has said.
The consulate-general disclosed this in a notice signed by the Consul-General, Benaoyagha Okoyen, on behalf of the Nigerian Missions in the U.S., on Sunday.
The statement reads, “No fewer than 700 Nigerians have registered with the missions in the U.S. for evacuation, which will be done in batches.
It added that the first batch of 270 evacuees would be transported to Abuja through an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 509.
The plane is expected to depart the Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey at 9.15 p.m., and fly directly to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
As earlier announced by the federal government, the flight is at the expense of the evacuees, who will all fly economy class, the notice said.
According the notice, “The projected cost for the one-way economy ticket is between 1,300 dollars (N488,800) and 1,700 dollars (N639,200) per adult.
“Please note that over 700 Nigerian nationals have registered with our missions in the USA to be evacuated.
“However, only 270 passengers shall be accommodated in this batch of evacuation.
“Missions will, therefore, attend to applicants on a first come, first served basis and shall prioritise the list of evacuees according to their immigration status.
“This includes the need to consider those stranded with proof of short stay visas, the elderly, and families with children and returning students,” it said.
In an attempt to contain the spread of the dreaded virus, the federal government on March 18 imposed restrictions on travels from 13 countries with high burdens.
The countries are China, Iran, South Korea, Germany, Italy, U.S. United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, Spain, France, Japan, Australia and Sweden.
Consequently, many Nigerians, who were on short-term visits to the affected countries, became stranded.
It would be recalled that no fewer than 997 Americans have been evacuated from Nigeria to the United States to be reunited with their families and friends following the outbreak of coronavirus in the country.
