ABIA GOVT PROCESSES NEW BATCH OF SOUTH AFRICA RETURNEES, RECORDS EIGHT SGBV CASES

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Abia State Government says it is processing another batch of Abians stranded in South Africa, while the state recorded eight cases of sexual and gender-based violence involving survivors aged between four and 25.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection had continued to coordinate the protection, voluntary repatriation and reintegration of Abians affected by xenophobic violence in South Africa.

He said the ministry was currently processing an additional batch of returnees while maintaining contact with leaders of the Abia community in South Africa to identify and verify other stranded residents.

According to him, the state government would continue to work with the Minister of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection to facilitate the return of affected Abians and provide assistance to those facing difficulties in South Africa.

Meanwhile, Kanu disclosed that the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Aba recorded eight cases of sexual and gender-based violence during the period under review.

He said the survivors, aged between four and 25, were allegedly abused by neighbours, landlords, family members and, in one case, a labourer.

The commissioner said some of the cases involved repeated assaults on young children by the same alleged perpetrator.

He added that the centre had provided medical, psychosocial and learning support to the survivors and was collaborating with law enforcement agencies to pursue justice.

On telecommunications, Kanu said significant progress had been made in the state government’s partnership with MTN Nigeria to improve voice and data coverage across Abia.

He disclosed that 77 per cent of the newly deployed network sites were currently operational, resulting in improved coverage in areas previously underserved.

According to him, MTN was working to restore near-total coverage achieved weeks earlier before vandalism affected several of the newly deployed sites.

The commissioner further announced that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education had scheduled a five-day orientation programme for newly recruited teachers.

He said the programme was designed to familiarise the teachers with the vision and strategic direction of education under the Otti administration.