Nigerian government has again, vowed to take appropriate action to retaliate the planned imposition of 3,000 pounds ‘cash bond’ policy on first-time visa applicants to the United Kingdom.
The Federal Government said this, following media reports on Monday quoting the UK Foreign Office that the British government will go ahead to implement the cash bond policy from November this year in spite of its opposition to it.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Minister Olugbenga Ashiru, is yet to receive communication to that effect, but assured Nigerians that appropriate retaliatory measures would be taken in the interest of the nation.
Ogbole Amedu Ode, Foreign Ministry spokesperson, stated, “Media reports in Nigeria yesterday 29th July, 2013, indicated that the UK Government will begin to implementfrom November, 2013, the 3,000 Pounds Sterling ‘’cash bond’’ for first-time visa applicants from Nigeria, and five other Commonwealth countries.
“The other countries are India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. These media reports themselves were quoting the Financial Times of London.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yet to receive any official communication on the final decision of the UK government on this matter.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has already conveyed its objection to the Bond payment to the UK government, when the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, MFR, summoned the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Pocock, to the Tafawa Balewa House, on 25th June, 2013.
“If and when a communication to that effect is received, the Federal Government of Nigeria will take appropriate steps to reflect its national interest”.
