South African authorities have granted landing permit to Air Peace Flight B777 to enable it to evacuate some 320 Nigerians fleeing from xenophobia in the country.
Nigeria’s Consul- General in Johannesburg, Godwin Adama, made the confirmation when he spoke against the background of a complaint by the Managing Director of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema.
Onyema had said that the refusal of South Africa to grant the permit made it impossible for the flight to leave Lagos at 1 a.m. for Johannesburg to convey the second batch of returnees. Adama, however, said the permit had been granted the airline and that the flight would be late in the night of Tuesday.
Adama said, “they want Nigerians to arrive during the week, they are taking-off from here midnight. I do not know the exact time but they will be leaving (South Africa) midnight.
I do not know why they were denied the landing permit. I think it is an airline operational issue. They did not get it yesterday but they told me that it came late yesterday (Monday).
“It was weekend and they were going to get it this morning; the airline did not tell me it was deliberate, but they explained to me that they have gotten it. Our manifest arrived last night towards the close of work and they were to take-off 1 a.m.
Nigerian time yesterday (Monday) but they did not because it was late. I have gotten it now so they will be able to make me know the time of their arrival here so that we can know when to take-off.”
Adama said buses provided to convey Nigerians wanting to return home were still at the mission premises and everyone was there.
“We are still really working on the number (320) to see how we can fill up the airline capacity with anyone that is readily available. We have more than enough, we are even trying to ensure that the aircraft is filled up that is why we are readily taking people who are on ground now.
“We have more than enough to fill the aircraft, the delay has also helped us because as we call names to board we see some people cleared at the last minute.
The truth is they are people who have not been cleared, those who are ready to go are all here and we are trying to queue them up. We may not even be able to take all of them who are hopeful,” he added.
Adama said that the next batch of evacuation would be based on the Federal Government’s directives.
Like!! Great article post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
I just want to mention I am just all new to blogging and site-building and absolutely loved your blog site. Likely I’m going to bookmark your website . You surely come with perfect stories. Kudos for sharing with us your web page.
I have been examinating out a few of your posts and i must say pretty nice stuff. I will definitely bookmark your site.
I dugg some of you post as I cerebrated they were handy invaluable
That is very interesting, You are an overly skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and stay up for in quest of more of your magnificent post. Additionally, I have shared your web site in my social networks!
Exceptional post but I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Many thanks!
That is the right blog for anybody who wants to search out out about this topic. You realize so much its virtually onerous to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You positively put a brand new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, just nice!