UK SCRAPS CONTROVERSIAL '£3000 BOND' VISA PLAN
Nigeria's President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan with British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg
British media reported on Sunday that junior coalition partners, the Liberal Democrats, had blocked the scheme backed by Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservatives.
The government had been preparing to pilot a scheme requiring visitors from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Ghana and Nigeria to pay the deposit for a six-month visa. They would have to forfeit the money if they over stayed.
Reports in June had said the scheme would initially target thousands of visitors.
Olugbenga Ashiru, Nigerian former foreign minister, also said in June that the bond scheme was “not only discriminatory but also capable of undermining the spirit of the Commonwealth family.”
Reacting to the news about the scraping of the policy, some Nigerians described the move as a positive development.
They said that the policy would have dampened the relationship between Nigeria and Britain.
“I think that (reversal of plans) is the best thing to do. The idea was a bad one from the beginning. How can a country that should be seeking better relationship with other nations by stifling entering to its country with such intended Dracula policy. I am happy with the decision to reverse it," said Biodun Olubode, a public affairs analyst.
Olubode said Britain should look for alternative to check immigration abuse instead of hurting the long cordial relationship it had with other countries.
“Britain has a right to protect its citizens from perceived dangers from nationals of other countries. While that is not in doubt, there are better and many ways of doing that.
"Personally, I knew that the Visa bond approach was a bad idea that would have pitched Britain with affected countries,” he added.