Ohanaeze calls for resumption of repatriation of stranded Nigerians in South Africa

Moved by the sudden suspension of the repatriation of stranded Nigerians from South Africa, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo South Africa has called on the Federal Government to urgently resume the exercise.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, titled “FG Voluntary Repatriation Project in the Republic of South Africa and Impacted Nigerian Migrants – An Unfolding Sad Commentary,” and signed by the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo South Africa, Dr. ABC Okokoh, the group lamented that the delay has compounded the hardship faced by affected Nigerians and allegedly led to the death of a Nigerian woman.

According to Ohanaeze Ndigbo South Africa, the woman reportedly collapsed after learning that the repatriation flight had been suspended.

Dr. Okokoh stressed that the organisation was not criticising the Federal Government’s intervention but was appealing for urgent measures to address the plight of stranded Nigerians.

“We are not renouncing the Federal Government’s efforts, but some critical issues and emergency measures require action outside the usual playbook. A review of the current approach is necessary to secure and protect those stranded and sleeping in open spaces around the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria under the harsh winter conditions.

“Just last week, one of our compatriots reportedly collapsed and died on hearing that the flight had been cancelled. Her children have been rendered motherless because of her dashed hope arising from the unfortunate development.

“The dilemma has arisen because the Federal Government’s directive may not have clearly stipulated the mechanism to be followed. Consequently, the repatriation measures were implemented with many unanswered questions and uncertainties among the returnees. We therefore urge a speedy evaluation of the implementation process,” he appealed.