The federal government says it will seek compensation from the South African government for businesses and properties abandoned by Nigerians who returned to the country following rising anti-immigration tensions.
naija news According to reports, Nigeria's Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television.
Ajayi said the government has begun documenting businesses and properties left behind by returnees as part of efforts to pursue compensation.
The development comes amid renewed attacks on African immigrants in South Africa and growing claims that foreigners are taking jobs meant for South Africans.
Rights groups in the country had also issued a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country.
Ajayi said discussions had already begun with South African authorities on the issue.
“In terms of business, just three days ago, I and the South African Deputy Foreign Minister were together, and we were discussing,” He said.
“I discussed it with them, and we agreed that we would ask our people, who are returning, to document what they are leaving behind.
“Yesterday before they left I asked them to accurately document the things they were leaving behind in terms of business, cars, movable and immovable properties.”
According to him, the information will form the basis of discussions with the South African government.
“We can now take this up with the South African government. That's the next step we're going to take.
“This repatriation will not end with just taking people to Nigeria. We are going to systematically follow up on the information given to us.”“He said.
Ajayi urged the returnees to provide accurate details of their abandoned properties.
“We are going to work with the South African government to access the exact locations of all these businesses, shops and properties and present them to the South African government for possible compensation because we are not going to let the construction work that has been done by people over the years go to waste or be taken over by people.,” He said.
Ajayi said those returning to Nigeria had voluntarily chosen to leave South Africa ahead of the anti-immigration protests.
He said many Nigerians living in the country have no documents.
another one on tuesday A group of Nigerians evacuated from Johannesburg arrived At Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The latest evacuation follows the arrival of 258 Nigerians on June 11 and another 66 on June 24 under the federal government's voluntary repatriation programme.