₦airaland Forum

For many expatriate workers in Dubai it was the ultimate symbol of their tax-free wealth: a luxurious car that few could have afforded on the money they earned at home.

Now, faced with crippling debts as a result of their high living and Dubai’s fading fortunes, many expatriates are abandoning their cars at the airport and fleeing home rather than risk jail for defaulting on loans.

Police have found more than 3,000 cars outside Dubai’s international airport in recent months. Most of the cars – four-wheel drives, saloons and “a few” Mercedes – had keys left in the ignition.

Some had used-to-the-limit credit cards in the glove box. Others had notes of apology attached to the windscreen.

“Every day we find more and more cars,” said one senior airport security official, who did not want to be named. “Christmas was the worst – we found more than two dozen on a single day.”

When the market collapsed and the emirate’s once-booming economy started to slow down, many expatriates were left owning several homes and unable to pay the mortgages without credit.

“There were a lot of people living the high life, investing in real estate and a lifestyle they couldn’t afford,” one senior banker said.

Under Sharia, which prevails in Dubai, the punishment for defaulting on a debt is severe. Bouncing a check, for example, is punishable with jail. Those who flee the emirate are known as skips.

The abandoned cars underscore a worrying trend. Five years ago the Emir, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, embarked on an ambitious plan to transform Dubai into a hub for business and tourism. A building boom fuelled double-digit growth, with thousands of Westerners arriving every day, eager to cash in on the emirate’s promise of easy living and wealth.

Many Westerners invested in Dubai’s skyrocketing real estate market, buying and reselling homes before building was even complete. But, as the recession took effect, property and financial companies made thousands of workers redundant and banks tightened lending. Construction companies have delayed or cancelled projects and tourism is slowing.

There are increasing signs that the foreigners who once flocked to Dubai are leaving. “There is no way of tracking actual numbers, but the anecdotal evidence is overwhelming. Dubai is emptying out,” said a Western diplomat.

International schools are having to be flexible on fees as expatriate parents run out of cash. Louise, a single mother from Britain, said that her son’s school had allowed her to pay a partial fee until she found a new job after her redundancy in December. “According to the headmaster, a lot of people had come into the school saying they had lost their jobs so the school was trying to be a bit more flexible,” she said.

Most of the emirate’s banks are not affiliated with British financial institutions, so those who flee do not have to worry about creditors. Their abandoned cars are eventually sold off by the banks at weekly auctions. Those recently advertised include BMWs, Porsches and Mercedes.

Simon Goldsmith, a spokesman for the British Embassy in Dubai, said that that there were approximately 100,000 Britons living in Dubai last year. However, the embassy has no way of tracking how many have fled back to the UK. “We’ve heard stories, but when somebody makes that kind of decision, they generally keep it to themselves,” he said.

Police have issued warrants against owners of the deserted cars. Those who return risk arrest at the airport.

Heading home

3.62 million expatriates in Dubai

864,000 nationals

8% population decline predicted this year, as expatriates leave

1,500 visas cancelled every day in Dubai

62% of homes occupied by expatriates 60% fall in property values predicted

50% slump in the price of luxury apartments on Palm Jumeirah

25% reduction in luxury spending among UAE expatriates

bibiking1:
He can conveniently plead temporary insanity.

RICHIE BOI:
what a sick society we live in.

otokx:
Is this not the same dubai that SOLUDO said he wanted to emulate?

Has it dawned on you that the banks could be trying to attract business from Nigerians abroad?

CONFUSION broke out yesterday at the premises of Oni Memorial Children Hospital in Ibadan when a "frustrated" policeman descended on some kids on admission, killing two and injuring three others.

The policeman, Raymond Egbongbonwuyi, was said to have gone berserk when news of the death of his three-year old daughter, also on admission at the state hospital, was broken to him.

An angry Egbongbonwuyi, who is attached to Iyaganku Central Police Station, allegedly fired teargas canisters at the children on admission and medical personnel attending to them.

In the ensuing melee, two of the children died while three others were placed on oxygen machines to revive them.

The aggressive policeman, who lamented that he was not armed, also wounded three doctors in the hospital. Egbongbonwuyi said he would have killed the admitted children alongside the medical personnel if he had a gun with him.

Three children, identified as Ekundayo Promise, Lawal Awal and Lawal Mariam, were put on oxygen when The Guardian visited the scene.

The irate policeman was said to have brought his three-year-old daughter, Destiny Raymond to the hospital on Tuesday for treatment of severe malaria, chest infection and burns, but the girl died in the night.

He was said to have lost a child at the University College Hospital (UCH) in similar circumstances a fortnight ago.

Upon learning of his daughter's death, the angry policeman stormed the ward and removed drips from five of the children, who were being treated for respiratory disorder and tear-gassed them.

The intervention of policemen from the nearby Oluyole Police Division brought the situation under control.

Parents of the affected children fought back tears over the development and called on the police authority to take necessary action against the officer.

One of the medical personnel decried the insecurity at the hospital and called on the state governments to protect the employees and patients in the hospital.

When contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Baba Bolanta, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident

bro, our problem is lack of dedication and patriotism.

otokx:
We don't control our refineries; a faceless CABAL controls it.

Tax system, law enforcement and public safety, banking and credit system, statistics and population control, it allows policy-makers to rationalize processes to implement schemes which balance the costs, budgeting and planning.

Venezuela's example cannot be repeated in Nigeria - our national oil company is USELESS and we CANNOT even run the refineries we have.

Would this mean i can call Lagos and ask ,question about any particular person ¨that is registered ¨ and they will be able to give info

I am also sure you might not know that a foreigner can also get resident permit cos it seems u dont know so many things as regards the above topic

There you go! Dont States issue birth certificates and LG identification? so which law states they cant issue residents with ID?

You have to have your own country. The oil is your country’s.

I graduated from the university without paying one cent, and take three meals every day, because we have the resources.

If you are not handling your resources, how are you going to handle the country?

>If you live 5 days out of 7 in Lagos and you pay your taxes to Lagos, How more Lagos resident can you get? You're definitely entitled to all the benefits of the state resident.

That wont apply on short term assignments and temporary transfers though.

It's not designed to replace your Nigerian epassport, Driver's licence etc (this should answer the last 2 questions)

Lagos Resident >>>>Reside in Lagos >>>>>>Place of abode. .

It is for RESIDENTS.

is this id card for lagos citizens or residents?

> What does it take to make it legally binding? Guess we still have a state house of assembly in Lagos. . .Pass it into law, easy!