Dr Dalhatu Tafida, the Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, has commended the British Government for cancelling the 3000 pounds visa bond scheme intended for applicants from “high risk’’ countries.
The scheme, billed for implementation in November by the UK Home Office, would have affected Nigeria, Ghana, Pakistan and India, among others.
Reacting to the halt in the policy, Tafida said it was a step in the right direction which would further boost bilateral ties between Nigeria and Britain.
Under the scheme, each visa applicant would have paid 3000 pounds cash bond before arrival in the UK and this would be forfeited if they failed to make the return trip.
The aim of the scheme was to reduce the number of people from such high risk countries staying in the UK once their short term visa had expired.
Mr Bimbo Folayan, the Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK), also lauded the British government for jettisoning the policy.
“We are indeed very happy by the decision to stop the scheme. We made our position known during consultation.
“It is the best decision ever. On our part, we will continue to encourage Nigerians here to regularise their papers so that they can legitimise their stay’’, he said.
He said that CANUK would continue to sensitise Nigerians to desist from seeking greener pastures.
The visa bond scheme generated uproar in the so called high risk nations when it was announced in June by Mrs Theresa May, the Home Secretary.
In Nigeria, former Foreign Affairs Minister Olugbenga Ashiru summoned the British High Commissioner, Dr Andrew Pocock, for explanations.
