Five months after suspension of flight operations, the Federal Government has announced the lifting of the ban it placed on Emirates Airline from flying into Nigeria following the Dubai Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management discriminatory policies against Nigerian passengers under their country’s new Covid-19 health and safety protocols.
Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika who made the announcement in Abuja to journalists late on Friday night said that the action has became imperative after the United Arab Emirates lifted all travel restrictions placed on Nigerians without conditions.
Also during the briefing, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Oyeama and the National Incidence Manager of the Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19, Muktar Mohammed noted that the Nigerian Government recognises that the United Arab Emirates has a responsibility to protect the lives of her citizens as such restrictions on Nigerians were taken in the best interest of the country.
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The Federal Government commended Nigerians for their understanding despite the obvious hardships experienced as a result of the disagreement between the two countries and promised to always prioritise the interests of Nigerians in the international global community.
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration also disclosed that the Presidential Steering Committee is watching closely the developments within the Southern African regions regarding the discovery of a new variant of the virus and revealed that measures are been put in place to prevent its entrance into Nigeria.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
