The Abia State Government has commenced the processing of another batch of indigenes returning from South Africa following reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in the country.
The state government also disclosed that eight cases of sexual and gender-based violence were recorded at the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Aba during the period under review. The survivors were aged between four and 25.
The Punch reported that 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 stated, “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.”
He said the state government remained committed to supporting Abians stranded or facing difficulties in South Africa.
Kanu added, “The state government will continue to provide assistance to “our unfortunate brothers and sisters who are facing a hard time in South Africa.”
He further stated, “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 the cases of sexual and gender-based violence, the commissioner said victims were allegedly abused by neighbours, landlords, family members and a labourer.
He noted that some of the cases involved repeated assaults on young children by the same perpetrator.
According to Kanu, the Nchedo centre had provided medical, psychosocial and learning support to the affected victims while working with security agencies to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
Turning to telecommunications, Kanu said the state had made significant progress in its partnership with MTN Nigeria to expand voice and data coverage across Abia.
He disclosed that 77 per cent of the newly deployed network sites were currently operational, with residents reporting improved coverage in previously underserved areas.
Kanu said MTN Nigeria was also working to restore the near-total coverage recorded several weeks earlier before vandals destroyed several of the newly installed sites.
He also announced that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education had scheduled a five-day orientation programme for newly recruited teachers.
According to him, the programme is designed to familiarise the teachers with the administration’s vision and strategic direction for education in the state.
