The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Monday have agreed to fund the feeding and accommodation of over 3,000 Nigerians awaiting evacuation.
Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, the minister of Foreign Affairs, made this known at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 daily news conference in Abuja.
He said the two organisations are expected to share the over N1bn cost of hotel accommodation and feeding of the returnees for 14 days on arrival in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Federal Government had asked prospective returnees to pay N290,000 for their isolation and feeding in hotels in Lagos and Abuja, ahead of their evacuation and this caused a public outcry.
The government had based its decision on the lack of resources, noting that it could only support the 620 returnees currently in quarantine.
The Minister explained that the government was aware of the fact that many stranded citizens in foreign countries were desperate to return home, adding that measures are being taken by the government to ensure the safe return of its citizens.
Onyeama added, “I spoke to the GMD of NNPC and he said he is going to consult. So, we kept fingers crossed and thanks be to God, today (Monday), he got back to me to say he was going to meet up with the Governor of Central Bank and together, they would fund the portion – accommodation and feeding of evacuees, so we can go forward in a better environment.”
Source- Punch News
Image-twitter.com/@GeoffreyOnyeama
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