Besides, the
state government disclosed that 16 more bodies identified to be nationals of
Nigeria, Togo and Benin had also gone through DNA tests, putting the number of
victims certified for collection at 70.
The State
Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, gave the report at a meeting with the
delegates of South African Government at State House, Marina, noting that the
bodies of other victims would soon be released.
The meeting,
which started at about 5:00 p.m., had in attendance the leader of South African
delegation to Nigeria, Mr. Jeff Radebe; a Director in the South African
presidency, Mr. Cassius Lubisi and Chief Medical Examiner for the Ssate, Prof.
John Obafunwa among others.
The tragic
incidence which claimed 118 lives occurred on September 12. Among them
are 81 South Africans, three Zimbabweans and one from Democratic Republic of
Congo.
At the
meeting, Fashola said the state government “has no reason to deny you the right
to take those 54 bodies. You have my word already. You can take them whenever
you are ready to do so.
“It is left
for you to decide whether to take them in batches or wait until we conclude the
exercise. But if you are ready, my team will ensure that you take them without
any delay.”
The governor
explained that the state government had no reason “to delay closure on the
investigation, but ensure proper identification of the victims in line with the
South Africa culture and traditions.”
But he
expressed regret that the incident happened in the state, though acknowledging
that he “has managed such post-disaster emergency during the Dana plane crash
in 2012. I understand the anxiety of families who want closure and the
religious undertone as well.
“Our
responsibility is to ensure that families get closure. The culture exists here.
I know that this is an issue that has attracted global attention. I understand
the call by South Africans to get the bodies of their relatives.
“But we
cannot at this time get the process wrong because if we release a body, we want
to ensure that each family takes the body of their relative. It will be
unpardonable for us to make mistake. The choice of South Africa for the test
was a special decision to make the process easier for South Africans who bore
the bigger brunt of the tragedy.
“So, since
the relatives were in South Africa, it was easier to use a laboratory in the
country, where we could easily take samples from the deceased families for the
test. It was meant to further demonstrate what our intention was.”
On the
investigation, Fashola said Corona’s Inquest “is still ongoing to investigate
the disaster and to prosecute anyone culpable.”
But
Obafunwa, who is Chief Medical Examiner, said 116 bodies were recovered and had
been subjected to post-mortem examination-finger printing, photography,
collection of samples and so on.
Of the 116,
according to him, they have been able to identify 70 through the DNA laboratory
in South Africa. Out of the 70, 54 of them are S/Africans, the rest, from their
names, are Nigerians, Benin Republic and Togolese among others.
He said: “We
had to collect addition DNA samples to assist the laboratory. We have been
working together and talking to the lab. It is expected that more results will
come in more than the 70 we have identified.”
Radebe said
South-African culture and traditions “demand burial within a week of
bereavement. But today makes it two-month since the incident. So, I paid a
visit to President Goodluck Jonathan two days ago to convey the message of our
president and find ways of speeding up the processes and reparations of the
mortal remains of those 81 South Africans.”
Radebe noted
that arrangement had been made “to include the four and take them to Pretoria,
from where three would be taken to Harare and one to Kinshasa.
“We are ready to repatriate them as soon as we get the green light from the state government. We appreciate your government for the cooperation. Our team has been briefing us on the challenges of identifying the bodies. But the bereavement was very tragic indeed and we have to get the bodies back to South Africa. So it does not get into more difficulties.”
“We are ready to repatriate them as soon as we get the green light from the state government. We appreciate your government for the cooperation. Our team has been briefing us on the challenges of identifying the bodies. But the bereavement was very tragic indeed and we have to get the bodies back to South Africa. So it does not get into more difficulties.”
“The planes
to convey the bodies are already secured and the team made up of specialists
will arrive as soon as we get the go ahead from the state government. They have
all been paid for by the South African Government.