The Nigerian Government has declared that its citizens interested in repatriation from South Africa will be responsible for the cost of their return trip to Nigeria, just as it is recalled that about 130 Nigerians in South Africa have expressed a willingness to return home voluntarily.
Penpushing reports that the government position on the voluntary repatriation was made known by spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa on Monday during a press conference shortly after a closed-door meeting between the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Ahmed, and the South African Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele.
The spokesperson explained that the process will be self-funded and not state-funded, as it is a voluntary decision that the Nigerian government will only facilitate and coordinate, while it would be recalled that the Nigerian government, on Sunday, indicated its readiness to repatriate its citizens from South Africa due to xenophobic violence.
Penpushing further reports that he emphasised that the return of the Nigerians depends on their financial capacity, as they would be expected to fund their trip back home individually. “Those willing to leave are expected to approach the high commission and, given that their decision is voluntary, have the resources to fund their return to Nigeria. The government will not provide an aircraft from Nigeria to convey them’, he declared
The Ministry image maker added and pointed out that the speed of the repatriation process will be determined by the availability of funds, just as he confirmed as the time of filing this report that 130 of them have registered towards their returns, stressing that actualisation would be required to have their flight ticket to move back to Nigeria.
Penpushing also reports that he explained that Nigerians who have so far expressed interest are motivated either by concerns about threats to their lives or by fear of arrest by South African law enforcement agencies.
“Yes, 130 as of this morning have registered, but actualisation would be required to have their flight ticket to move back to Nigeria. There are two groups of Nigerians who want to come back. One group feels the country is not safe for them and wants to come. They have all their papers intact’.
“Then there is also the second group that has travel document violations or resident permit violations. And instead of running away from law enforcement, they are appealing that the government facilitate their movement back to Nigeria’, he stated
Penpushing reports that he, however, noted that the process is still being worked out and that the government would step in to provide aircraft or other needed assistance if tensions rise and the situation becomes more volatile.
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