By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has restated his administration’s resolve to collaborate with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Human Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to eliminate incidences of rape and other forms of human degradation.
The Governor made this disclosure on Tuesday at the inauguration of a twenty six man State Task Force on Human Trafficking at the Government House Makurdi noting that the Task Force would be supported with budgetary provisions and programs aimed at ending child labor, abuse and other forms of Trafficking especially at the grassroots.
Ortom who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu contended that the trafficking was an embarrassment to the state an the nation in general, averring that the present administration in the state has introduced measures through legal and policy frame work such as enactment of violence against persons Prohibition Law.
The Governor lauded NAPTIP over the appointment of a Benue indegene , Mrs. Gloria Bai as the Makurdi Zonal Commander of the agency. He assured them of continued support to enable them deliver their mandate in the state and other parts of the zone.
Also speaking, the Director General of the agency, Mrs. Leman Ibrahim applauded the state government for enacting the violence against persons Prohibition Law, adding that the state Task Force on Human Trafficking which has been established in sixteen states have pivotal roles to play in ensuring adequate sensitization at the grassroots.
She sued for development of new initiatives to ensure adequate resources for rehabilitation and return of victims of trafficking and irregular migration with good shelter, vocational training facilities and scholarship to provide economic empowerment for victims.
