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MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account - Politics - Nairaland

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MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by bolaayenimo: 6:16am On Oct 22, 2021
Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos

There was pandemonium at the Murtala Mu­hammed International Airport on Wednesday evening as travelers arriving Ni­geria from the United Kingdom protested demand by officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) that they pay N51,950 in to a private account for COVID-19 PCR test.

Daily Independent gathered that the passengers who arrived Nigeria from British Airways, Qatar and Lufthansa flights almost paralysed activities at the airport after officials could not provide a logical response to their question son why they should pay money belonging to the Federal Government into an individual account.

According to COVID-19 protocol from the Presidential Steering Committee and the NCDC, passengers who are travelling to Nigeria from any country must carry out a COVID-19 PCR test and test negative within 72 hours to the day of travel. Travelers must register on the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP) for a repeat PCR test to be carried out seven days after arrival.

The government also mandated that passengers arriving Lagos airport pay N50,400 for COVID-19 test, while the price varies for other states, including the FCT.

However, upon arrival at the Lagos airport, passengers who had difficulty in accessing the NCDC website to pay the fees were ordered to pay the sum of N51,950 in to a private account be ­longing to one Williams Oladip­upo.

They were handed over a note that read, ‘1433844324, Access Bank, N51,950, Williams Oladip­upo’. Those who did not have nai­ra were asked to pay in foreign currency. They were debited 95 pounds each.

A young lady stationed at the desk already had the account number written on a sheet of pa­per. After confirming payment, she will then write down the name of the passenger, email, telephone number, passport num­ber, nationality and preferred laboratory where they want the test to be conducted.

Trouble started when one of the passengers, a Nigerian, who claimed he had lived most of his life in the UK, demanded to know why monies belonging to the Federal Government should be paid into a private account. The young lady could not offer any explanation. She said she was only acting on the instruction given to her.

The response of the lady infuriated the passenger, who raised his voice, saying it is illegal for monies belonging to the Federal Government to be paid to into an individual account. He insisted he won’t pay the money and doesn’t care if the Federal Government seizes his passport.

Other passengers, who had earlier paid and those who were yet to pay, joined the man in asking why they were assigned to different laboratories but were asked to pay in to the same private account. It took the efforts of the security operatives at the airport to calm the riotous situation.

Speaking with Daily Indepen­dent, one of the passengers, who asked not to be named for fear of being victimised, said the level of impunity in Nigeria is alarming.

According to her, it is only in Nigeria that a mandatory fee demanded by the Federal Govern­ment is being paid into a private account.
“What manner of country is this? This country is not just working. Anyone saying that this country is working has not stepped his feet out of Nigeria or he is benefiting from the corrupt system.

“You can imagine what is happening here. How can you ask citizens to pay monies requested by the government into an individual account? Who authorised it? Is the Federal Government aware of this? This is Lagos State, is Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu aware? Until we learn to speak out and demand that the proper thing is done, this country will not move forward.

“The directive was for in ­bound passengers to Lagos to pay N50,400 but they are demanding N51,950. Who gets the extra N1,550. Imagine the number of passengers arriving Lagos every day. The EFCC should please look into this”.

Also speaking, another passenger, who said she was heading to Ibadan in Oyo State but was de­layedat the airport for almost two hours because of the fee, said she was made to pay with 95 pounds which is far higher than the orig­inal amount (N50,400) she was supposed to pay.

“My worry now is, will I still pay another money if I go to the laboratory? A friend of mine paid this money few days ago but she did not receive any mail or text calling her to come for test. She had to visit another laboratory on her own and paid so that her passport will not be confiscated or barred from traveling because she travelsalot for business”, she said.

When contacted, officials of NCDC and Ministry of Health declined to speak on the matter. They, however, directed our correspondent to the Lagos State government under whose jurisdiction the incident took place.

When contacted, Dr. Bamidele Mutiu, the Director, Lagos State Bio-Bank, promised to investigate the development and get back to our correspondent.

When he called back, Mutiu confirmed that Williams, the owner of the account the passengers were asked to pay into is one of their staff.

He said the provision was made when the passengers were having difficulty assessing the NCDC website and difficulty in making the payment.

He, however, said he has ordered a further investigation to ascertain whether what was paid into Williams account is the actual amount remitted to the Federal Government’s account.

He promised that the inves­tigation will be transparent and the media will also be present to verify it.

Also speaking, Gbenga Omo­tosho, the Commissioner for In­formation, Lagos State, said the government will carry out a de­tailed investigation on the issue.
https://independent.ng/lagos-airport-scandal-passengers-refuse-to-pay-pcr-test-fee-into-private-account/

22 Likes 7 Shares

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by Mrkumareze(m): 6:23am On Oct 22, 2021
It's a planned work, starting from the federal point.. all dis are political slot, they sale it out to their members .. most of the revenue we pay never goes to the federal or state account it ends up in individual's account who the slot belongs to..

191 Likes 14 Shares

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by Damidave1124(m): 6:24am On Oct 22, 2021
Can corruption ever be curbed in Nigeria?
I don't think so. Almost eveeybody is looking for a way scam/outsmart every unsuspecting Nigerian of their hard earned money

125 Likes 7 Shares

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by Fapemz: 6:24am On Oct 22, 2021
Joke is on them!

7 Likes 2 Shares

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by brosom(m): 6:24am On Oct 22, 2021
Then one wey Dem dey pay before wetin Dem do carry am do aside from to loot it.

Make Dem free them abeg grin

1 Like

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by Imustreturn(m): 6:25am On Oct 22, 2021
shocked

Are you surprised?

8 Likes

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by hisexcellency34: 6:25am On Oct 22, 2021
This is a deep statement!
“What manner of country is this? This country is not just working. Anyone saying that this country is working has not stepped his feet out of Nigeria or he is benefiting from the corrupt system.

“You can imagine what is happening here. How can you ask citizens to pay monies requested by the government into an individual account? Who authorised it? Is the Federal Government aware of this? This is Lagos State, is Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu aware? Until we learn to speak out and demand that the proper thing is done, this country will not move forward".

154 Likes 18 Shares

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by djevino(m): 6:26am On Oct 22, 2021
Zoogeria

4 Likes

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by dfrost: 6:26am On Oct 22, 2021
angry

Today's news will be filled with thieves.

Honestly, psychiatric test should be done on office holders in Nigeria because this is more than klepto.

The other day a former governor's son was quizzed over ₦1billion+ sitting fallow in his account. FALLOW and bankers feeding fat on it. angry

30 Likes

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by Kraspo(m): 6:26am On Oct 22, 2021
The details of the account should be revealed and proper investigation should be carried out on the culprits

7 Likes

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by Mumusaphire: 6:26am On Oct 22, 2021
Fraud everywhere and nothing will be done to it

5 Likes

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by gambia(m): 6:26am On Oct 22, 2021
All sectors in Nigeria are corrupt.

8 Likes

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by Fryzi(m): 6:27am On Oct 22, 2021
Na person wey no fear dis country I fear.

17 Likes 2 Shares

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by Nobody: 6:27am On Oct 22, 2021
Nigeria is NOT working.

Nigeria will NEVER work.

Dismantle Nigeria NOW!!!

#YorubaNationNow

#YorubaNationNowNow

23 Likes 4 Shares

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by hisexcellency34: 6:28am On Oct 22, 2021
it's like you are part of them. Ole barawo
brosom:
Then one wey Dem dey pay before wetin Dem do carry am do aside from to loot it.

Make Dem free them abeg grin

9 Likes

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by ATEAMS: 6:28am On Oct 22, 2021
grin
Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by iamyemiakins(m): 6:28am On Oct 22, 2021
People are now looting and perpetrating fraud confidently these days shocked

3 Likes

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by Nobody: 6:28am On Oct 22, 2021
NCDC website being down also stopped the account from working?..

You say they should pay into a private account while taking their details, but cant pay into NCDC account while taking their details?

ROGUES IN SHEEP CLOTHINGS.

24 Likes 2 Shares

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by MANNABBQGRILLS: 6:29am On Oct 22, 2021
Corruption in every sphere of the country.

Can you just imagine this wickedness and calamity
Like wtf! shocked
Everything to them is MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!!

*HOME TRUTH*

*On every level, Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria*.
Read along to understand our reasons for saying so......

I run a manufacturing business and a trading business.
The biggest challenge in my manufacturing business is not power, or infrastructure, the biggest challenge is getting honest staff.
Everyone we hire appears to be on a mission to steal as much as possible.
Inflated invoices, recording less than the actual number of units produced.
The worst part of it all is that all the fraud we've uncovered is not done by a single person, it's usually many staff who collude with each other, from production, to sales, to finance, even top management.
There was a year I overhauled management 3 times in a year.........
But me, I've found a solution sha, I now use Indian management.
So competent, so honest and so straightforward.
I thought they were expensive at first with all the visa fees, accommodation, house staff, but now that losses due to staff theft have been reduced to a minimum, and efficiency increased, the Indian management has turned out to be cheaper than the previous Nigerian management.
Now, all sensitive positions involving money go to Indians. Nigerians are only allowed in non-sensitive positions.
I used to criticize companies like Dangote Group that hire so many Indians when there are many unemployed Nigerians, but now, I understand their decision.

My biggest challenge in the trading business is the same, getting honest staff.
The form of trading occurs in the open market, and involves staff having access to huge sums of money running into a few millions.
I know how much I pay to security companies to provide escorts for the staff, not to prevent robbery, but to ensure that the staff go straight to the bank to deposit the money after the day's sales and not disappear with my money.
This money spent on security companies is even enough to be declared as profitWe have to spend on CCTV, biometric scanners and other things that wouldn't be needed if staff weren't looking for the slightest opportunity to steal.

It got so bad at a point that my main criteria for employing staff was no longer competency but honesty.
At least, competency and skills can be learnt, but once you're dishonest, you're dishonest.

We always complain of the economy and how there are no jobs. I know people abroad who would have loved to set up job creating businesses in Nigeria but they can't because they can't get any trustworthy person to run it.

I know people in Nigeria with so much money, they want to start factories and other job-creating businesses but they can't because they are occupied elsewhere and can't get any trustworthy person to run the business.
So instead of investing in the real sector and creating jobs, they'll just buy treasury bills, while the thieves are shouting no jobs.

Many big businesses would have been born in Nigeria if we could engage in partnerships, but we cant because you can't trust anyone.
This is one advantage the Indians and Lebanese have over us in Nigeria.
They can pull resources together and do mega-business, unlike Nigerians that because only one person must do everything since we can't partner, end up with small, tiny businesses.

Start a poultry and they will be stealing your eggs. Some will even go ahead to be killing the chickens so that they'll be allowed to take them home.

Start an entertainment/viewing/game center and they'll be pocketing your money.
On the days you're around at the business, the money realized will be x10 of the money realized when you're not around..... Because they're eating your money.

Lease out a vehicle to a driver to use and watch as he'll finish you.

Start a restaurant, the same thing will happen. More than half of the total food ingredients will end up in their personal kitchens.

Even ordinary provisions shop, they will find a way to steal.

You'll see them with that their evil, wicked saying "na where person dey work, na there e dey chop, na e make dem dey callam workchop/workshop"...... Just imagine, justifying theft at work.

And you'll see these people point their crooked fingers at politicians when they're not any different. I usually say the reason most Nigerians haven't stolen billions of government money, is simply lack of opportunity.


Again,
*On every level, Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria*.

I want us to discuss how this narrative can change.
As I speak there are several Nigerians here and institutional investors who would love to invest in Nigeria but the character of Nigerians on the global stage has been a drawback.

There are also franchises from Agriculture to Automobiles who wish to enter the Nigerian Market but holding back because of this.

Cc : Coach.

OgaRico:



This stealing thing is so bad that no age is exempted.There is nothing like the old ones are the one stealing while the young ones are are innocent or the young ones steal while the old ones don't. And then in the future when KARMA start biting back they start complaining not remembering that them too stole as well.
The amount of pain I feel in my heart when I hear people defending their stealing with that God forsaken excuse ''Na where pesin dey work naim him dey chop naim make them call am workchop" is unimaginable bro.
Sometimes when I think of this country,I get scared of the future that is awaiting the unborn ones.
Please continue to speak out like you did here,someone somewhere will come across you message and change to become a better person and
God bless you for taking time out to air your view concerning this.
May Nigeria succeed.

24 Likes 10 Shares

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by biggie73(m): 6:29am On Oct 22, 2021
Why pay for Covid test?

5 Likes

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by Nikeruka(m): 6:29am On Oct 22, 2021
The money always ends in the same place.
Either directly into an individual's account or from from an fg's account back to an individual's account.
It always finds it way into an individual's account.
Nigeria Jagajaga

6 Likes

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by kilisi(m): 6:29am On Oct 22, 2021
H
Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by SATANlST: 6:29am On Oct 22, 2021
grin we die dia

1 Like

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by michlins(m): 6:30am On Oct 22, 2021
The corruption in this country
Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by Kk4(m): 6:30am On Oct 22, 2021
Nigeria is in a terrible state. Imagine the shame if you were coming back home with your foreign friend.
How would an ordinary staff carry out financial duties for a whole government of a country?. There is definitely something fishy going on and the appropriate bodies should look into this.

5 Likes

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by samsard(m): 6:30am On Oct 22, 2021
hisexcellency34:
it's like you are part of them. Ole barawo
Don't mind him.

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by nairavsdollars(f): 6:30am On Oct 22, 2021
Nigeria sha keeps disgracing herself among the international community.

4 Likes

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by nnanyereugo(m): 6:31am On Oct 22, 2021
The system is corrupt already

3 Likes

Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by mozona(m): 6:31am On Oct 22, 2021
ehen nah
Re: MMIA Airport Scandal: UK Returnees Refuse To Pay FG's Money Into Private Account by InvertedHammer: 6:31am On Oct 22, 2021
/
Bunch of clowns!

They were paying until one person mustered the courage to question the legality of the fraud. All of a sudden, they found their voices.

/

28 Likes 1 Share

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