NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT REACTS TO £3000 VISA BOND BY UK

A diplomatic row  seems to be  brewing between Nigeria and the United Kingdom following a  proposed policy by the  British Government  requiring  Nigerian travellers to the UK to deposit £3,000 as bond in case they overstay  their visa limits.

On Monday,  the Federal Government  summoned the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pocock, over the development  while the House of Representatives which flayed  the policy, argued that it could have negative impact on the relationship between  the two countries.

Nigeria, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Pakistan and India are  listed by the UK  as  countries whose citizens are to deposit the £3,000 under  the  proposed  policy that will take off in November.

A Home Office official said the six countries highlighted were those with “the most significant risk of abuse.”

According to media reports, the Home Secretary Theresa May,  said the administration of British Prime Minister, David Cameron,  is serious about cutting immigration and abuses of the system.

 It was gathered that Pocock would  meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru,  on Tuesday (today) to explain  the policy.

A source close to the ministry, who confirmed the meeting,  said the government was seriously concerned about the implication of the policy on the economy and image of the country.

“Pocock is to explain to government if the plan is true and why Nigeria is a target. Government is worried about the highly discriminatory policy which tends to portray the country in a bad light,” he explained.

In the   House of Representatives,  Chairman,  Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ms. Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, stated that the policy was a U-turn on a promise by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, to improve trade relations between the two countries  next year.

She said,  “This policy will not foster true  relationship between Nigeria and the UK. It does not promote the spirit of the Commonwealth either.

“The same British Government that promised improved trade relations with Nigeria is introducing such a discriminatory policy.

“It is a somersault, to say the least.”

However, Elendu-Ukeje observed that the policy appeared to be “a political issue.”

She explained, “The Conservative Party wants to prove that they are serious about immigration matters. They are doing this to win voters ahead of the next elections.”

But, she called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to register its protest before the take-off date of the policy.

“We have to take proactive measures to oppose this policy and by way of reciprocity because next time they will increase this bond of a thing”, she said.

The lawmaker recalled that in 2008, the British Government introduced £1,000 “fine” on travellers.

“They tried it first in 2008; today, four years down the line, they are saying that it will be £3,000. What will be the next figure if we don’t take proactive measures now?” Elendu-Ukeje  asked.

An expert in constitutional law, Prof. Itse Sagay, also  described the  policy as “  hostile and therefore contrary to international diplomacy.”

 He said, “It is evidence of contempt and a clear case of saying ‘we don’t want people from their country and  so let us make it impossible for them to come.

 “How many people can pay N750,000 as deposit which the British Government will keep and probably trade with while the owner cannot touch it. I think we need to respond appropriately by also raising impossible barrier to British people coming into Nigeria so that at  the end,  we will see who will lose more.

“I think they are making the mistake of believing we need them more than they need us.  In fact, it is they who are making more out of Nigeria.

“They have a wrong idea of their importance to us. We are more important to them than they are to us.”

Excerpts by talkofnaija