Ndubuisi Ekwulonu, a Nigerian who came into the country from
Sweden, says he was extorted in Abuja, as he paid twice for the mandatory
COVID-19 test for passengers on international flights.
It is compulsory for all passengers coming into the country
to provide negative COVID-19 test results prior to boarding; passengers are
also expected to pay for a repeat test, which will be done after arrival.
Speaking with Brekete Family, a reality programme focused on
human rights, in a viral video, Ekwulonu said despite paying twice for the
COVID-19 test, his name was not found on the list of people who were to be
tested.
“At the airport, there is a form the federal government said we would fill online before we leave where we are coming from. So after I filled the form, there are two options; either I pay with card or on arrival. Because of the bad network in Nigeria, I chose the option of paying on arrival,” he said.
“So, on getting to Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, I used
my ATM card and I showed them a picture that I have filled the form and they
saw the ‘capture’. They requested my passport number which I gave them and they
filled it in on their computer and brought out their POS. I paid and was
debited N42,750.
“I was given two options; one laboratory in Jabi, the other
in Maitama. Because I live close to Maitama, I chose that. But if you put the
address of the laboratory in Google, it will take you to Emab Plaza, one
laboratory there.”
He said on getting there, the people at the lab said they
were unaware of what he was asking for and told him to leave.
“So, I came out, met
a gateman to direct me to the place. He said I should go to THISDAY Dome. I
went there; they said I should go to ministry of health in secretariat. At the
ministry, I was directed to MM, one conference centre. So, I took the taxi there
and found the lab.
“I told the guy that they will ban me from the country if I
don’t do the test and he said he will forward my information to Lagos which he
did.”
Ekwulonu said he waited at the laboratory the whole day for
a response from Lagos, but unfortunately, none came.
“I went home, came back. He checked the system and said my
name is not on the list they gave him. Luckily for me, two people on the same
flight with me came and couldn’t find their names. Even my friend from Sweden
couldn’t find his name,” he said.
“Then they said I will have to pay another money if I want
to do the test. I paid another N42,750 and did the test.
“This morning… I am supposed to leave Nigeria on Saturday,
they sent me a message that I have to pay again for another test.”
Ndubuisi, who was in tears, lamented the difficulty in
securing a job as a Nigerian in Sweden.
He said there are about 5,700 employees where he works, but 5,000 were
sacked.
“And I was among those retained. It took me time to get this
job because I am a Nigerian. Even a Rwandan will get a job before you and these
are people you know, in every aspect of life, you are better than them. Just
because you are carrying a Nigerian passport, to get a job will be hard, so how
can I lose my job because I came into Nigeria?” he lamented as he burst into
tears.
However, later on Tuesday, the Federal Competition and
Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC),
in a tweet, said Ndubuisi had been refunded.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydayRemember Ndubuisi Ekwulonu (in video below)? The Nigerian from Sweden, who after paying N42,750 for COVID-19 test at the airport was made to pay another N42,750 at the laboratory.
— FCCPC Nigeria (@fccpcnigeria) September 29, 2020
We took up his matter & he has been refunded. See his appreciation letter in tweet #2.
THREAD! pic.twitter.com/98PLttLa2J
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