The Executive Director, Global Initiative Against Illegal Migration, GIAIM, Barrister Emmanuel Obinyan, has advised the Edo State government and the Edo State House of Assembly to immediately create Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Irregular Migration, PTPIM.
“Victims of human trafficking are always psychologically devastated even long after it has happened. Sometimes, it could result to traumatic stress and emotional imbalance. This needs to be arrested through a strengthened law that offers no room for perpetrators,” he said.
Obinyan who made this statement in Ubiaja, Edo State while flagging off GIAIM’s distribution of fabric-made face masks produced by GIAIM and distributed to vulnerable youths, returnee migrants, victims of human trafficking and widows, also reiterated his supports to the vulnerable and commitment to the obliteration of human trafficking which has advertised Edo State for the wrong reason.
While commending the Edo State government and the state taskforce on human trafficking and various international organisations for doing an excellent job in the area of human trafficking and other migration related issues, Obinyan, suggested that consequential amendments to the existing state law on the subject matter will go a long way to help in the fight against the scourge. He stated that EDO STATE TRAFFICKING IN PERSON PROHIBITION LAW 2018, needs to be amended to accommodate, as well as expand the jurisdiction and power of the organisation.
According to him, GIAIM would soon introduce a private bill, seeking the said amendment to the state House of Assembly for consideration and passage into law, saying that it would help to strengthen the enabling laws against human trafficking.
He explained to recipients that with Covid–19, things are not likely to be the same again in the environment. He therefore advised individuals and organizations to adjust to the realities of the situation and have faith in God.
Beside the supports GIAIM has extended to the people, Obinyan further disclosed that the organization has other plans to cushion the effects of the pandemic urging citizens to obey all instructions by government till the locked down is lifted by the state.
He appealed to the relevant government agencies and international organisation to do more on the issue of irregular migration because of the danger and consequences to the society.
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