The Abia State Government has announced that it is processing another batch of residents returning from South Africa. It also disclosed that eight cases of sexual and gender-based violence involving survivors between the ages of four and 25 were recorded in the state.
Speaking with journalists on Monday after the weekly Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, said the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection had continued its efforts to protect, voluntarily repatriate and reintegrate Abia indigenes affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
According to him, “The ministry is currently processing an additional batch of returnees while maintaining contact with the leaders of the Abia community in South Africa to identify and verify other stranded Abians in South Africa.”
Kanu said the state government remained committed to supporting “our unfortunate brothers and sisters who are facing a hard time in South Africa.”
He added, “The state government will continue to make efforts with the Minister of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection and ensure that they come back to the country and their state.”
On gender-based violence, Kanu revealed that the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Aba documented eight cases during the review period, involving victims aged between four and 25.
He said the incidents involved alleged abuse by neighbours, landlords, relatives and, in one case, a labourer. Several of the cases reportedly involved repeated assaults on young children by the same offender.
“The centre provided medical, psychosocial and learning support to the victims and is currently collaborating with law enforcement agencies to pursue justice for the victims involved across the state,” he said.
Kanu also disclosed that the state government’s collaboration with MTN had recorded significant progress towards expanding voice and data network coverage across Abia.
“Currently, 77 per cent of the newly rolled-out sites are operational, and citizens have reported coverage in previously disadvantaged areas,” he said.
He explained that MTN Nigeria Limited was working to restore the nearly 100 per cent network coverage achieved weeks earlier before many of the newly installed sites were vandalised.
The commissioner further announced that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education had fixed a five-day orientation programme for newly employed teachers to acquaint them with the administration’s vision and strategic goals for the education sector.