UK Visa bond - House of Rep comment's

House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, has condemned the new British visa policy, saying it is discriminatory and unacceptable.

  The committee Chairman, Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, in a statement released in Abuja, said such policy was not in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

 “This is totally discriminatory and unacceptable.

 It is targeted at non-white Commonwealth”, she said. Ukeje (PDP-Abia) said as a Committee on Foreign Affairs, the House of Representatives would take a critical look at the policy as it affects Nigerians and come up with a way forward. According to her, “they should realise that it is not in the best interest of UK.

 We will, as a country, look at it vis-a- vis our citizens and come up with a decision.

 We agree totally with the UK Foreign Minister that the policy is totally unworkable and impractical.

 It is contrary to the commitment made to our President by David Cameron during their last meeting.

 We believe it is for political reason ahead of their general elections.

 We seek that our long historical relationship should take precedence over political expediency,” Ukeje advised.

 The pilot scheme of the new visa policy is scheduled to commence in November.

 According to the Sunday Times, the controversial move by the UK home secretary, Theresa May, to introduce the Australian-style system reflects her determination to show that the Conservatives are serious about cutting immigration into the UK .

 Ms May said: “This is the next step in making sure our immigration system is more selective, bringing down net migration from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands, while still welcoming the brightest and the best to Britain .”

 She added: “In the long run we’re interested in a system of bonds that deters overstaying and recovers costs if a foreign national has used our public services.”

 The Home Office is targeting countries which have high volumes of visitor visa applications and what it deems to be relatively high levels of fraud and abuse.