Quarries: NAPTIP commends joint efforts of Nigeria, Benin in tackling child abuse
NAN-HG-9
Labour
By Mustapha Sumaila
Abuja, June 22, 2017 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Thursday commended Nigeria and Republic of Benin for tackling the use of children in stone quarries in the two countries.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Ms Julie Okah-Donli, made the commendation at a stakeholders meeting for the development of country position for the 10th Nigeria-Benin joint consultation in Abuja.
Okah-Donli explained that records from October 2016 Joint Sub-Technical meeting in Porto-Novo indicated a significant reduction in children working in stone quarries especially Beninois children.
She said that efforts of both countries had helped in addressing the issues of children working in stone quarries.
“We must acknowledge the invaluable contribution of Terre Des Hommes in sanitising the stone quarries of Abeokuta in Nigeria.
“I urge you all to replicate the same zeal in tackling the problem of minors working in stone quarries and plantations in other parts of the country.
“We have to ensure that child labour exploitation is reduced to the barest minimum,” she added.
Okah-Donli noted that Nigeria and Republic of Benin shared the same border which necessitated the need to establish an understanding between the two countries to stem the growing tide of trafficking in children.
According to her, the deplorable trend of trafficking in children called for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries in 2005, to provide an effective platform to check cross-border trafficking of children.
She explained that the MoU paved way for the setting up of a joint technical committee to evolve plans of Action on annual basis from 2006 to 2012.
“As you are aware the current Joint Plan of Action was adopted in February 2012 with the aim of deepening efforts in the areas of law enforcement and linkages among civil society groups in both countries,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by representatives of security operatives and non-governmental organisations from both countries. (NAN)
MS/JEO/MST
Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Muhammad Suleiman Tola