The flight evacuating some of Nigerians returning from the United Kingdom to Nigeria is expected to land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State today.
This was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, on Thursday at the Presidential Task Force Briefing on COVID-19.
He said the UK returnees would be taken to Abuja, the nation’s capital immediately they arrive in Nigeria to commence their isolation in a hotel.
He also explained that an Abuja hotel is preferable to isolate the returnees because the hotel rate is better compared to Lagos.
The Minister said, “We are hoping to have another flight coming in tomorrow from the UK. This batch will be going to Abuja. They will be landing in Lagos first and they will be ferried to Abuja.”
He continued that “The reason is that we have been very mindful of the cost to the passengers coming home and we want to minimize the burden on them. Appreciating that a lot of them have stayed outside the country than they needed to or wanted to are probably out of pocket.”
“We have tried to bargain as much as possible with the various hotels. Abuja offers us a better economy in terms of hotel rates.” he added.
He also noted that arrangements will be made for those meant to be in Lagos to return back to Lagos once the isolation is completed.
