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Why 539 Nigerians Were Stranded In UAE – NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has said that the 539 Nigerians evacuated from the United Arab Emirates were stranded for not being able to get a work permit due to a new policy by the government of the Middle East country.

Recall that 542 Nigerians were moved out from the UAE and arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday.

NEMA reported that the evacuees who returned on board Max Air flight consisted of 79 males, 460 females and three infants.

Speaking to newsmen, Manzo Ekeziel, the Head of the Media Unit, NEMA, said plans were in place to see the return of more Nigerians stranded in the UAE.

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He said, “The Federal Government received communication and decided to support them back to the country. I don’t know if there’s any diplomatic row or not.

“There are some of them that could not come in today but arrangements are on for them to be transported, maybe tomorrow. I’m not sure of the total number of those still left behind.

“One of the evacuees, Blessing Okorie, from Ebonyi State, blamed a new visa policy; and that they could not get a work permit.

 “She said she travelled to that country with valid papers but after some time, according to her, the government of the UAE came up with a new visa policy that made her unable to get a work permit. Because of that, she was sacked from where she was working and, according to her, she had to hustle.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, In a statement, revealed that the evacuees were given $100 each to facilitate their return home.

Source: Punch

Juliet Nwankwo

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