Hameed Braimah
Edo State government is to strengthen its collaboration with the International Organization for Migration, IOM to minimize the negative impact of irregular migration on victims through its victims support programmes.
The State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo stated this at a close-out stakeholders summit for the Managing Migration through Development Projects, MMDP in Benin City.
Represented at the programme by his Special Adviser on Migration, Honourable Collins Edomaruse, the Governor underscored the significance of sustaining the collaboration which has seen to the reintegration of returned migrants back into the society.
The Governor was emphatic on the need for the stakeholders to strengthen existing ties with donor agencies without losing sight of the essence of community ownership of projects for sustainable development.
“Today we’re celebrating a journey that has seen the reintegration of over 2,000 returned foot migrants with dignity and purpose, a journey that has also breathe new life into the Edo State Migration Agency through the establishment of an ICT data base, a vital donation to the shelter”, the Governor stated.
He said that through this project, stake-holders are reminded that migration when well managed through the lense of development and human dignity, could be a catalyst for positive transformation.
He urged them not to relent, but continue to build on the strong foundation MMDP has laid by deepening and strengthening existing ties, in addition to ensuring community ownership of programmes and projects under the scheme.
He thanked the donors, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for investing in Edo people, a gesture he said portrays them as true global citizens, just as he commended their meaningful support for Edo-Jobs on innovation and trainings which he noted has in no small measures enabled the agency to deliver on its mandate.
The Governor also appreciated the MMDP steering committee and integration experts, including shelter staff for their commitment to community development and growth, assuring that the State government would ensure the sustenance of existing working relationship with donor partners.
In his remarks, Head of Benin Sub Office, IOM Khan Rasheed, advocated for the ranking of Irregular migration as a national emergency going by the social and economic implications it has for national development.
The problems associated with irregular migration, Khan averred should be treated in the manner the government handles disasters such as flooding, insurgency and banditry because of its social and economic implications for the development of any society.
Khan said that IOM has since 2017 assisted over 46,000 Irregular migrants who voluntarily offered to return home to achieve their dreams. He insisted that more awareness should be created on the dangers associated with the migration type in order to widen knowledge and prevent more persons from falling victims.
On his part, the Director General of the Edo State Migration Agency an offshoot of the Edo State Taskforce on Migration, Hon Lucky Agazuma, expressed deep optimism that the close-out of MMDP 2.0 would not mark the end of the collaboration among stakeholders involved in the fight to minimize migrating through illegal routes.
Edo State Director of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA said that irregular migration is not just a development or security issue, but also a growing humanitarian and disaster management concern, because many of the vulnerabilities that drive irregular migration such as conflict, and environmental factors, including absence of livelihood opportunities are also the factors that increase disaster risk in communities.
However, some stakeholders posited that for the war against irregular migration to be won, deliberate efforts must be made to ease off the bottle-neck associated with the regular migration including high cost of flight tickets and visas.
The Coordinator Office of the First Lady, Mrs Edesili Anani was represented at the event by Hajia Nimata Ikhilor, Wife of the Secretary to the State Government.
Other none State actors including civil society organizations, community/faith based organizations etc involved in the fight against irregular migration, took turns to make their presentations.
