Nigerians Are Stranded In Dubai Over Failed NCDC Portal

International airlines are refusing to allow Nigerians to board their plane due to a lack of QR barcode for flight travelers bound for Nigeria. This action has left some Nigerians stranded in Dubai and other foreign countries, as the Nigerian Center For Disease Control (NCDC) mandated the code for test payment.

Travelers coming into Nigeria have been directed to get tested in the country of departure before boarding a plane heading for Nigeria. The passengers will also have to pay for tests - to be done in Nigeria - before leaving their host country and receive QR barcode to board the flight.

Airlines have been ordered to lift passengers with negative COVID-19 test results only. Failure to do this will attract sanctions from the Nigerian government. This has led to airlines abandoning Nigerians in Dubai.

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Nigerians Still Denied Flight Despite Payment

However, due to NCDC's system failure, Nigerians who have undergone the necessary procedures and paid for tests in Nigeria are being denied flight back to Nigeria. Nigerians who have paid for their test in Nigeria have been unable to receive QR barcode which is mandatory to board flights heading to Nigeria.

The NCDC International Travel Portal is not effective as the system is not offering payers the QR barcode despite payment. The airlines are not lifting Nigerians despite proof of payment. There have been several complaints about the portal - while some can't access the page, those that can access the page can't receive their barcode.

According to an Agricultural expert, who goes by the name Naija Farmer on Twitter - one of the passengers stranded - he said, "@hadisirika I've paid for the COVID-19 testing on the payment portal. Almost 24hrs no QR Bar code. my flight is in a few hours.

"Nigerians are stranded in Dubai bcs of this. The system didn't send QR code. Please do something about this. Nigerians aren't animals, please. Airlines are leaving them behind No barcode no boarding after showing payment confirmation. People are tired and the risk of contracting this virus is high for them.

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NCDC DG React To Challenges

While addressing the challenges faced by passengers trying to board planes heading for Nigeria, NCDC Director-General, Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the government is working on the problem with the portal. He, however, didn't give a timeframe for resolution.

"Our deep apologies to everyone that has had challenges with the platform for travelers. We are working across several ministries & agencies, with banks & laboratories, across federal & state governments to make this system work for all. We will communicate further soon." Chikwe tweeted.

Sanctions That Airlines Are Trying To Avoid

Airlines that lift passengers that didn't meet the NCDC procedure or flight requirements risk a fine of $3,500 per passenger. Also, non-Nigerians that board any flight into Nigeria will be refused entry and returned to the point of embarkation at a cost to the lines.

Meanwhile, Nigerians who board the flights without following procedures will be allowed entry, but subjected to a mandatory quarantine of 8 -14  days (depending on results of the COVID-19 PCR test done from day 7 of arrival) at a facility approved by the government and at a cost to the passenger(s).