THE first migrant sent to Rwanda was lying low last night while luxury accommodation paid for with millions of UK taxpayers’ money remained empty.
The failed asylum seeker agreed to be deported as part of a voluntary scheme ahead of the forced removals.
Simon JonesThe migrant was nowhere to be seen at Hope Hostel in the capital of Kigali[/caption]
But he was nowhere to be seen at Hope Hostel in the capital of Kigali, one of the main accommodation blocks for migrants being removed from the UK.
The Sun on Sunday called at the four-storey hostel – originally built to house orphans from the 1994 genocide – to speak to the migrant, who was also given £3,000 of public money.
But we found the 12ft-high metal gates securely locked as he lay low elsewhere in Rwanda.
A security guard in a hi-vis jacket emerged to confirm the hostel was still closed – and empty.
A source said of the migrant , who arrived last week: “He was given the opportunity of speaking to the media but declined.”
Hope Hostel and other centres like it were transformed with £20m of UK public cash ready for migrants sent from Britain.
Ministers hope that failed asylum seekers rounded up in raids last week will soon be housed there.
And when they do arrive they will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of their accommodation.
The hostel can cater for 100 people in 50 double rooms with balconies.
They will be able to enjoy walks in the lush grounds past neatly manicured hedges.
The more sporting among them can play on a floodlit football pitch and a basketball court and enjoy games of pool.
And, in a country obsessed with the Premier League, they will be able to watch English matches on wide-screen televisions in the communal areas.
Locals say the new arrivals will be made to feel welcome.
Café owner Aime Claudine, 52, told The Sun on Sunday: “Rwanda will look after them.”
The migrants are given a 17-page booklet entitled: “I’m being relocated to Rwanda. What does this mean for me?”, which states they they will be given “safe and clean accommodation, food, healthcare and recreation”.
It adds that:”Rwanda is generally a safe country with a track record of supporting asylum seekers.”