Lucky Obukohwo, ReportingÂ
The Immigration Office of the Kingdom of Belgium in collaboration with the Pathfinder Justice Initiative, has admonished Nigerians to remain in their own country and develop it rather than traveling to Belgium irregularly, saying Belgium is not the land that flows with milk and honey.
The Director General, Immigration Office of the Kingdom of Belgium Mr. Freddy Roosemont, gave the advice during a media parley in Benin.
He said those contemplating traveling irregularly can make themselves useful in their country instead of risking their lives on the desert and on the Mediterranean Sea.
Roosemont said the worst part of it all, is the subsequent exploitation of these irregular migrants.
“Migration is a fact of life, however, it is our job, the job of Europe and Belgium as well as of Nigeria to manage this migration to happen in a regular and safe manner within the legal framework.
“Belgium offers numerous Opportunities to travel legally, the rules are strict but fair and serve not only to protect Belgium, to offer opportunities to the migrant but also to protect the migrant himself. Belgium is not land of milk and honey, nor is Europe.
“Thus was not the case before, but is even less so now, in a world with many crisis hotspots with severe economic consequences.
“Getting into a vessel and crossing the Mediterranean and taking on so much danger is evidence of Great desperation. As well as sometimes knowingly, sometimes unknowingly, putting yourself in the hands of human traffickers who have only one goal: to get as much money as possible through you and to scare you. Luring you under false pretenses and, upon arrival, taking away your passport and forcing you to pay off a lifelong debt.
“Often, young dynamic people are victims of human traffickers, who profit themselves from other people’s misery. Do not fall into this trap”, Roosemont warned.
The DG said that they have also noticed that more and more Nigerians are seeking asylum in Belgium. Some have come to Belgium by legal means, others have taken way through the Mediterranean Sea.
He said, once in Belgium, they apply for asylum, but this makes little sense as asylum is determined on the basis of the Geneva Convention and economic motives are not included. Therefore the recognition rate for asylum is very low and the chances of obtaining a residence permit are almost non-existent.
He maintained that they further see some trying to move to other countries within Europe, but there, they will also see that they have already requested asylum in Belgium adding that consequently, this European country will send them back to Belgium from where they will have to return to Nigeria.
He said as a consequence, people are forced to live in irregular stay, without a social safety net, in precarious conditions as they risk economic exploitation and women risk ending up in prostitution.
He said they can be arrested at any moment and locked up in a detention center and once detained, they are returned — necessary by force – and get an entry ban for travelling to the European Union for a certain period of time and that If they then apply for a visa, they must first repay the cost of their previous stay.
He said, finally, they will have to return to Nigeria after all the risks and having lost so much money.
He further urged Nigerian not to take on these dangers but to take the time to see what is possible in their own country? What are their dreams? How are they looking at their future?
While advising that Nigerians should travel legally, said the knowledge gained, should brought back to develop their country, Nigeria.
“A Stay in Belgium, through regular channels, can be a useful complement. You can get an education or continue your study in Belgium and this knowledge can be used in your country.
“Nigeria needs young people to move this great country forward and help building its future”, Roosemont said.