CSOs, Residents Commend Edo Assembly Over Speedy Passage Of Anti Human Trafficking bill
CSOs, Residents Commend Edo Assembly Over Speedy Passage Of Anti Human Trafficking Bill
Loading ...Jethro Ibileke/Benin
The anti-human trafficking Bill that was passed into law by the Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday, has been generating commendation from residents of the State, including Civil Society Organisations.
The Bill which is made up of 80 Sections, was passed on Wednesday, after it was considered by the House for six allotted days. It seeks among other things, to check human trafficking in the State.
Those who spoke commended members of the State House of Assembly over the speedy passage of the Bill.
They said with the passage of the Bill, the stage is now set for easy and quick prosecution of human trafficking offenders.
Speaking, the President of the Network of CSOs against Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, Ms. Jennifer Ero, said with the passage of the Bill, the lawmakers have written their names in the good part of by the history book of the State.
She decried the slavery and exploitation of Nigerian youths, noting that the Anti-Human Trafficking Bill, when signed into law, would empower the task force gainst human trafficking and illegal migration to prosecute traffickers and those linked to them, including parents who lure their children and wards to be trafficked.
She however urged the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to sign the Bill into law without further delay.
“The lawmakers have done well. History will for ever remember them. We also thank the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for sending the Bill to the House for passage.
“We hope that since the Bill is the Governorโs brain child, the signing and subsequent implementation of the law won’t be a challenge,” Ero said.
She noted that when assented to by the Governor, “the law would go a long way in addressing human trafficking and illegal migration as well as related crimes in the State.
“Traffickers now know that the era of impunity is over. We will follow up with the Bill till it is signed into law and ensure arrested traffickers are prosecuted.
“We appreciate Governor Godwin Obaseki for rising up against human trafficking in the state. Obaseki is the first Governor to openly accept that the issue of human trafficking is Evil in our land, we commend his sacrifice and commitment.ย He’s given hope to the hopeless who are the victims of human trafficking.”
Ero however noted that “more needed to be done in the area of welfare support to the returnees in which many are still waiting to be reintegrated.
“We are hopeful that the promise made by the governor to the 150 returnees last year will be fulfilled and have access to the land and seed grant to start up their agro business. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. NCAHT will continue to support your good works as we complement your efforts.”
It would be recalled that thousands of Nigerian youths have reportedly perished while being ferried from Nigeria through the Sahara desert to Libya.
