The governor's announcement comes in the wake of revelations by the IOM, indicating the return of numerous Enugu indigenes from countries such as Libya and Niger.
Governor Mbah emphasized that the state government will assist the IOM in establishing a zonal office in Enugu, enabling direct homecoming for returnees who can then undergo rehabilitation within the state rather than being redirected to other regions.
Furthermore, Governor Mbah highlighted the implementation of radical social programs by the government, emphasizing their role in equipping returnees with essential skills for sustainable livelihoods. In expressing his stance, he declared, "The state government would also help the IOM secure a zonal office in Enugu so that such returnees could come home directly and be rehabilitated in the state, rather than be taken to other states."
Governor Mbah conveyed these sentiments during a meeting at the Government House in Enugu with a delegation from the IOM in Nigeria.
The delegation, headed by Chief of Mission Laurent De Boeck, received commendation from the governor for the organization's efforts in addressing the challenges faced by irregular migrants, including victims of trafficking and exploitation.
He said, "As a government, we are quite ready to collaborate with you in the areas of integration of these victims and also those who may just be stranded abroad and interested in coming back home, to be reintegrated into their home state. We have a lot of programmes that we have also designed as a state to cater for the welfare and wellbeing of our people."
"We have several radical programmes in the social services sector. Whether it is in education and healthcare, the government is involved in indepth programmes that will impact the lives of our people, including such returnees.“““Meanwhile, it should not be a case that if our people are to be brought back from outside the country, they would be kept in Lagos or elsewhere."
I think they should be brought back to Enugu and we should be able to have at least a transit camp where they can stay and undergo counselling and get reintegrated.
