The
Nigeria High Commission in London says it is worried by the migration and
removal policy of the UK Government, which has placed deportation tag on 29,000
Nigerians.
The
Acting Nigerian High Commissioner in London, Mr Olukunle Bamgbose, gave the
indication in his office when he spoke with State House Correspondents covering
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s visit to London.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Bamgbose said the migration
policy came about following the migration crisis created by the troubled
regions in the world.
“I
think about 29,000 Nigerians have been designated to be deported.
“We are
insisting that due process must be followed before Nigerians are really removed
from the UK to Nigeria,’’ he said.
Bamgbose
gave four conditions that should be met by the UK immigration office before the
commission could accept the migration and deportation agenda.
“First,
we must ensure that they are really Nigerians; they are medically fit to
travel; all the legal processes must have been completed and that they have
role to play in Nigeria.
“You do
not expect someone who has not been to Nigeria for 30 years to 40 years and who
does not have any family to be deported.
“He
will constitute social problems to us in Nigeria; so these are the sore points
at this moment that we have,’’ the envoy said.
Bamgbose
noted that in spite of the challenge, the relationship between Nigeria and UK
had deepened, adding that the UK is ready to engage with Nigerians in various
aspects, in defence, immigration, trade and investment.
“In
2012 trade volume between the two countries was about four billion pounds,
which has doubled now.
“But
with what we now have British investors are ready to move into Nigeria in a
massive way.
“I
expect that in the next two to three years the trade volume will triple and go
to about 12 billion pound or even more.’’
Bamgbose
attributed the rise to the new confidence the foreign investors had in Nigeria
and the new administration.
The
willingness of the British businessmen to even want to come to Nigeria is very
important.
“Because,
hitherto, the way we were running the government they did not have that
confidence in government.
“They
are not really sure whether they can go into Nigeria and invest.
“Now
with the new administration, what they believe the new administration can do
and the fidelity with which the new administration has brought to governance
that is the first thing.
“You
have to have the confidence of those who are going to Nigeria to invest and I
think with what is going on now they are very confident that they can go into
Nigeria and invest,’’ he said
punch
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