•Workers pass vote of confidence in gov
ENUGU State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi yesterday declared that henceforth, baby factories and those behind the ignoble, illicit business would not be tolerated in the state.
The governor spoke when the director-general of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons(NAPTIP), Julie Okah-Donli, paid a courtesy visit on him at the Government House, Enugu.
Addressing the NAPTIP boss and members of her entourage during a courtesy call on him at the Government House, Enugu, Ugwuanyi lamented that “human trafficking – a form of modern slavery- has over time grown into a multi-billion dollar criminal industry, which according to a recent estimate by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is responsible for the enslavement of over 21 million people around the world.”
He vowed that under the watch of his administration, baby factories and the activities of those behind the illicit trade can no longer be allowed to thrive, assuring the agency of all necessary support.
“In this wise, I want to assure you of the continued assistance, support and partnership of Enugu State Government towards the successful and satisfactory discharge of this responsibility, especially within the confines of the state.
“Quite unfortunately, tales of trade in humans, especially for the purpose of forced labour, sexual slavery or commercial sex exploitation within and outside the country, have become common in Nigeria.
“Indeed, the sheer magnitude and widespread nature of this cankerworm pose an enormous and daunting challenge for agencies like NAPTIP that were created and saddled with the responsibility of eliminating or bringing it under control.
“I do believe, however, that the task of curtailing human trafficking in Nigeria is one that NAPTIP cannot be left to shoulder alone. Rather, it calls for sustained cooperation and commitment of all Nigerians as well as relevant government and non-government agencies –especially in the area of capacity building and intelligence sharing,” the governor said.
The NAPTIP boss, who commended the governor for his resolve to support the agency’s fight against rafficking in persons also praised him for his “dogged efforts in getting the Child’s Rights Law operational in the state within a short period.
“The current unwavering efforts of your administration to uplift and transform the socio-economic lives of the people of the state pointed to an untoward development in the South East zone of the country where young girls are victims of operations of illegal maternities and clinics for illicit adoptions of innocent children’’, she said.
Okah-Donli, appealed to the governor to, among others, approve regular sponsorship of sensitisation campaigns against trafficking in persons and child labour in the three senatorial districts of the state.
She recalled that in recent years, NAPTIP had continued to enjoy the cooperation and support of the government and people of the state, an indication that the agency’s activities were appreciated in the coal city state.
Meanwhile, Enugu workers, under the auspices of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), yesterday passed a vote of confidence in Governor Ugwuanyi, for his administration’s giant strides in just two years in office.
Rising from a one-day symposium organised by the state chapter of the TUC to assess the two-year performance of Ugwuanyi’s administration in the state, the workers, after listening to speeches delivered by the guest speakers, such as the President General of
Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo and Chairman of Enugu State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ESCCIMA), Rev. Ugo Chime, unanimously proclaimed that the governor has performed well in office.
The speakers highlighted the remarkable achievements of Governor Ugwuanyi with emphasis on peace initiatives, security, good governance, workers’ welfare and infrastructure development, especially in the rural areas of the state.
They noted that Enugu State has been enjoying peace and security of lives and property since the inception of Ugwuanyi’s administration and said such feats made possible the entrenchment of good governance in the state, despite the current economic challenges in the country.
Chief Nwodo said he was delighted at the kind of peace, love and unity being enjoyed in the state today. He told the workers that it was as a result of the above that “none of you has been arrested or intimidated since the inauguration of this administration.
“In spite of the fact that Enugu State is third from the bottom in the federal allocation list, the governor has been able to execute numerous road projects, mostly in the rural areas, and installed street lights, among others,” he said.
Also speaking, the state’s Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Prince Cornelius Nnaji, commended Ugwuanyi’s landmark achievements in the state, adding that the governor gave the Transitional Chairmen of the 17 local government areas “a free hand to manage our due allocations without any interference as seen in the transparent management of the local government share of the Paris Club refund used to offset arrears of salaries and pensions of council workers and pensioners.”
The ESCCIMA Chairman said Ugwuanyi’s good governance has attracted foreign investors to the state. He disclosed that over N20 billion foreign investments were underway in Enugu State as a result of the conducive business environment created by the governor.