British MP Kicks Over Nigeria’s Inclusion In Super Priority Visa Service

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Mike Hookem, a member of the European Parliament for the Yorkshire and the Humber region for the UK Independence Party, has accused the United Kingdom Government and Prime Minister Theresa May of engaging in “dubious practices” by selling access to the highest bidder in Nigeria in the new Super Priority Visa service announced recently.

In a report by UK’s Sunday Express, Hookem slammed Theresa May over the roll out of the special visa service status that he said would further allow some Nigerians access to United Kingdom to “channel their dubious practices”.

He said: “Nigerian politicians have allowed corruption to flourish with impunity. Putting a private company in charge of visas to the UK will give bent businessmen and politicians another outlet to channel their dubious practises.

“We should be looking to secure our borders to make this country safer by strengthening the UK border force and increasing coastal patrols not by selling access to the highest bidder.”

In August, British Government approved Nigeria’s entry into their rapid visa scheme which is costing British taxpayers hundreds of millions to staff across their locations worldwide.

 

Critics of the programme have complained that the £300 million project is being run by a French company, Teleperformance, leaving serious questions over Border control.

The Home Office initially denied the firm based in Paris was responsible for granting visas to the UK.

But they later confirmed that they in fact do operate global contracts for the provision of Visa Application Centres.

The Government claims Teleperformance has no role in visa decision-making.

They say: “All decisions on visa applications are made by UK Visas and Immigration staff.”

But it can be confirmed that delivery of the legal documents are “returned to the customer via Teleperformance” leaving questions over checks.

In a statement they said: “The Super Priority Visa service is offered in 23 locations across 12 countries as part of our range of visa application services.

“The contract with Teleperformance is one of two global contracts for the provision of visa application centres and is worth £300 million over nine years.

“This contract began in 2014 and has since reduced costs and provided better value for money to the taxpayer.

However, with that status, Nigerians can now apply for the ‘super priority’ visa for £750 which can be rubber stamped in the space of just 24 hours.

This is despite the fact that the UK Government believes there are up to 29,000 illegal immigrants in the country from Nigeria.

The Super Priority Visa service is offered in 23 locations across 12 countries including Kazakhstan, Colombia, China, Turkey and Thailand.

In recent years the UK government has come in for scrutiny over net migration figures which now stand at 333,000.

The Government insists all decision making is the same for all visa applications, and includes all of the same security and integrity checks.

Last year Nigeria’s government spoke out after they were told an estimated 29,000 Nigerians are living in Britain illegally.

Acting UK high commissioner Olukunle Akindele Bamgbose said: “It’s a big issue for us here at the embassy.

“There are cases where people have been here for decades.

“Some of them are not even Nigerian: they came to Britain on false passports originally but the UK want us to accept them back to Nigeria.”

At the time the British Government said those with no rights to remain in the UK should return home.

A spokesperson added: “We expect people to leave the country voluntarily but, where they do not, immigration enforcement will seek to enforce their departure.”

Earlier this year it was revealed the number of forged passports seized at UK borders reached a five-year high two years ago.

The BBC said nearly 1,100 were confiscated in 2014.