A total of 3,134 persons have benefited from Integrated Action to Reduce Human Trafficking and Re-Trafficking project within one year in Edo State.

The Project Coordinator, Integrated Action to Reduce Human Trafficking and Re-Trafficking and co-founder, Girls Power Initiative (GPI), Grace Osakue, has said.

She disclosed this in Benin City while taking stocks of the organization’s activities in the last one year.

She said that all efforts were geared towards tackling irregular migration and reintegrate migrant returnees in the State. Accordingly, two Communities, Oluku in Ovia North East Local Governments Area and Idokpa, in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area where some persons were selected and chosen to be trained on skills.

Osakue assured that after training them on skills, they were given the equipment suitable for what they have been trained on, adding that others who went into trades have their stores stocked with goods.

Responding to whether sanctions await those who sell off their equipment after being equipped with skills and equipment, she said concerted efforts are usually made to ensure that those selected for the programme are those who really needed them.

She also said there is usually a cordial relationship between those learning the skills and those offering the programme, adding that the essence is to ensure that such individuals actually achieve the purpose of learning the skills.

Also speaking, Mr. Anderson Aisagbonbuomwan, the Project Officer, Integrated Action to Reduce Human Trafficking and Re-Trafficking, said that beneficiaries were carefully selected and monitored to the finishing points.

According to him, the empowerment scheme was to be done in three communities, Eyean, Idokpa and Oluku, but due to some logistical issues, Oluku and Idokpa were now settled for.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Loveth Efosa, from Oluku community, thanked the GPI for stocking her store with goods, such as soft drinks and other items which she said presently is a source of livelihood for her and her family.

Another beneficiary  from Idokpa community, Precious Enadaghe, said she was given a bag of rice, Spaghetti and other items to start up her business.

She thanked the Integrated Action to Reduce Human Trafficking and Re-Trafficking for coming to her assistance when she needed them most.

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