€3000 UK Visa Bond: Senate Appeals for FG 's intervention

The Senate has urged the Federal Government to
diplomatically engage the British Government on its
proposed €3,000 Visa Bond on Nigerians travelling to
the United Kingdom.
This followed a motion brought by Sen. Matthew
Nwagwu (PDP -Imo), on Thursday.
In his motion, Nwagwu prayed the Senate to condemn
the selective and discriminatory imposition of visa bond
on Nigerians travelling to the UK.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that Nwagwu, who is
the Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs,
described the planned visa bond on Nigerians as
``selective, discriminatory, vexatious and
unprecedented’’.
He said the policy, which was slated to come into
operation from Nov. 1, would place undue barriers on
the path of Nigerians intending to travel to the UK for
legitimate reasons.
Earlier, Sen. Olubunmi Adetumbi (APC-Ekiti), had
advised the Senate to avoid taking action over ``a
speculative policy”, adding that the timing of the
motion was wrong.
``We should act on the basis of reality rather than
making an issue out of a speculative policy,’’ he said.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri (PDP-Bayelsa) suggested that
Nigeria's diplomatic authorities should discuss with
their British counterparts on possible steps to address
the issue.
``This policy is still at the proposal stage, at best, it is
for us to urge our relevant diplomatic authorities to
engage in discussion with the British Government,’’ he
said.
Contributing, Sen. Barnabas Gemade (PDP-Benue),
described the issue as “sensitive’’, and advised that it be
handled with care because it concerned the internal
policy of a sovereign country.
``Such a pre-emptive action, if driven strongly, may
have negative diplomatic implications.
``We should wait for a conclusive action to be taken by
the British government before we can follow up with
appropriate reaction,” Gemade advised.