• Says Public Outcry Uncalled For
Following public outcry over the negotiated sum of $1.2m for the buses hired by the Federal Government to move Nigerians awaiting evacuation from Khartoum, Sudan, into the
Egyptian territory for their eventual evacuation to Nigeria, the Federal Government through the ministries of foreign and humanitarian affairs has said the outcries were uncalled for.
It said that the amount in question was negotiated in a condition of war and where there were competing demands for same bus services by other countries also trying to evacuate their citizens.
A joint statement by both ministries, signed by the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary in Foreign Affairs, Ambassor Janet Olisa and Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo of Humanitarian Ministry, advised the public to discountenance unverified information being circulated on the social media as some of them are either due to ignorance or sheer mischief.
Statement read: “The outcry over the negotiated sum of $1.2m for the buses hired for the exercise, is uncalled for. The amount in question, was negotiated in a condition of war and where there are competing demands for same bus services by other countries also trying to evacuate their citizens.
“The ministers noted that the first batch of 13 buses conveying 637 evacuees had arrived the identified safe borders at Aswan, Egypt and are undergoing necessary documentation and clearance before admission into the Egyptian territory.
“The movement of the second batch of 29 buses commenced yesterday.
“The evacuees are advised to be at the designated locations with only one luggage. Contrary to insinuations on the social media, Embassy staffers are very much on ground in Khartoum to coordinate the evacuation exercise to the very end.
“The students and other Nigerians awaiting evacuation from Khartoum, Sudan are therefore, advised to cooperate with them in order to ensure orderliness and proper documentation while embarking on the buses. This will go a long way in speeding up the process and avoiding unnecessary delays with documentation and clearance upon arrival at the Aswan, Egypt.
“While the Federal Government empathizes with affected Nigerians, maintaining
order amidst the desperate situation remains crucial to getting all interested Nigerians out of the war zone in record time before the expiration of the ceasefire, which has been extended by 72 hours.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria seizes this opportunity to extend appreciation to friendly countries who have in one way or the other assisted in bringing succour to Nigerians fleeing the war in Sudan. Particularly, Nigeria acknowledges the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for graciously assisting with the evacuation of eight Nigerians from Sudan to safety in its territory, from where they would be airlifted back to Nigeria.
“In the time being, the first batch of Nigerian evacuees who have arrived Aswan are expected to be airlifted to Nigeria in the coming hours by the Nigerian Air Force and Air Peace airline, who have been on standby for the operations.”
