The federal government has asked Nigerians stranded in
Turkey to pay $1,300 for one-way flight ticket.
In a statement on its website, the Nigerian embassy in
Turkey said those returning home are expected to pay $1,300 for economy class
while business class passengers will pay $1,800.
According to the statement, Air Peace has been contracted
for the flight scheduled for July 5.
“Consequently, all prospective evacuees, duly registered
with the Embassy, should purchase their own tickets through the account detail
detached at the cost of $1,300.00USD for Economy class for adult/child fare and
$1,800.00USD for Business Class Passengers,” the statement read.
It said that all prospective evacuees who have purchased
tickets should forward them for confirmation, adding that flight seats will be
done on a “first come, first served basis.”
The statement also said that only those who fully comply
with federal government’s directive on COVID-19 would be allowed to board the
flight.
“Any intending evacuees without the stipulated test result,
or body temperature above 38 degrees centigrade, or any symptoms suggestive of
COVID-19, will not be allowed to check in,” it added.
Reacting to the development, Bulama Bukarti, an analyst and
human rights lawyer, described the federal government’s directive as
“exploitative and inhuman.”
In a thread on his Twitter page, Bukarti wondered why the
federal government could not contract Turkish Air to evacuate those stranded at
a cheaper rate.
“The FG has scheduled the evacuation of Nigerian students
stranded in Turkey, but they’re asked to pay quadruple the airfare. They’re
required to pay $1300 for a one-way flight when return-ticket on Turkish Air is
presently $620. But FG won’t allow Turkish Air to land,” he wrote.
The FG has scheduled the evacuation of Nigerian students stranded in Turkey, but they’re asked to pay quadruple the airfare.— Bulama Bukarti (@bulamabukarti) June 27, 2020
They’re required to pay $1300 for a oneway flight when return-ticket on Turkish Air is presently $620. But FG won’t allow Turkish Air to land. pic.twitter.com/8PYDP84EdE
“This is exploitative and inhuman. The students say they’re
stranded as the FG itself admits. Why would they then be charged such an
outrageous sum? Why would the FG insist on Air Peace when there’s a much
cheaper option that’s safer and more efficient? This smells rat.
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