UROMI – The Uromi Justice Development Peace and Caritas Initiatives (Uromi JDPCI) has presented Start-Up materials and equipments to 30 beneficiaries of the Sustainable Measure Against Trafficking in Person (SMAT-P) project.
The beneficiaries which include those who were trained in Tailoring, Hair Dressing, Welding, ICT, Carpentry, Diesel Mechanic, Machine Mechanic, Building and Auto Craft, among others, were also assisted with money to cover six months shop rent.
The equipments include, Sewing Machines, Generator Sets, Pressing Irons, Welding Machines, Complete Diesel Mechanic Tools Boxes, Hair Dryers, Machine Mechanic Complete Tools Boxes, Laptops, Tables and Chairs, and many other supporting materials.
The Executve Director of Uromi Justice Development Peace and Caritas Initiaives, Very Rev. Fr. Fidelis Arhedo, said the objective of the SMAT-P project was to support vulnerable persons to human trafficking, to enable them live a more meaningful lives within targeted communities.
He disclosed that the Uromi JDPCI partnered with Caritas Nigeria to implement the project in the two selected local government areas in Uromi Catholic Diocese – Esan Central and Esan South East Local Government Areas, which is being sponsored by the Catholic Bishop Conferences of Italy.
The project, according to Uromi JDPCI, executive director, has reached a total of 9,351 persons, made of 4,201 males and 5,134 females, as against the 3000 originally targeted for the programme in Uromi Catholic Diocese.
The Project Manager, Barr. Onomen Oriakhi said the SMAT-P programme was developed as a response to the complaints of the Bishops of Italy, who were disturbed by the plights of Nigerians that were trafficked to their country.
She explained that the project was geared towards ensuring vulnerable groups were supported to discourage illegal migration and human trafficking.
The project manager disclosed that a total of 150 beneficiaries are to receive the start-up equipments in 10 selected local government areas considered to be most vulnerable to human trafficking in the South-South states of Nigeria,
The Vicar General of Uromi Catholic Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Francis Omolumen, advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the equipments to better their lives, and also train others.
