The Federal Government has explained that the sum of 1.2 million dollars allegedly spent in hiring buses for the evacuation of Nigerian students in Sudan was due to the dire need of the war situation.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs spokesperson Mrs Rhoda Iliya.
It was also signed by officials of the ministry of foreign affairs Ambassador Janet Olisa and Dr Sani Gwarzo of the Humanitarian affairs ministry in Abuja on Saturday.
” The outcry over the negotiated sum of 1.2 million dollars 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 the same bus services by other countries also trying to evacuate their citizens.
”The general public is hereby advised to discountenance the unverified information being circulated on social media as some of them are either due to ignorance or sheer mischief,” it said.
The statement also appealed for cooperation and understanding of all Nigerians in the ongoing efforts to ensure all Nigerians stranded in Sudan are returned home safely.
” The first batch of 13 buses conveying six hundred and thirty seven (637) evacuees had arrived the identified safe borders at Aswan, Egypt.
” The evacuees are undergoing necessary documentation and clearance before admission into the Egyptian territory for their eventual evacuation to Nigeria in the coming hours by the Nigerian Air Force and Air Peace airline, who have been on standby for the operations.
” However, the movement of the second batch of 29 buses will commence on April 29 and the evacuees are advised to be at the designated locations with only one luggage.”
It advised Nigerian students awaiting evacuation from Khartoum to cooperate with embassy officials for proper documentation while embarking on the buses to the designated locations.
” This will go a long way in speeding up the process and avoiding unnecessary delays with documentation and clearance upon arrival at the Aswan, Egypy.”
The government committed to successfully evacuating all Nigerians stranded in Sudan before the expiration of the extended 72 hours ceasefire agreement.
”We want to use this opportunity to extend our 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,” the statement added.
Earlier, The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, while addressing State House correspondents said, “You recall that the main challenge we had was, first of all, securing the authorisation of the Sudanese Government and then security support for the convoy.
“This is because it has been decided that we will transport or convey Nigerians to the Egyptian border, Aswan.
“We are liaising with our embassy in Egypt as well; so we have been able to overcome these challenges and we have started the process which we are very happy about.
“$1.2 million dollars is what we’re being charged for all the 40 buses. We have huge transport luxury buses made available to us to transport our citizens to the Egyptian border.
“Of course you know, because of the risks involved and so many other things, a lot of people are going to also take advantage.
