IOM SEEKS PARTNERS ABIA STATE GOVT TO CURB IRREGULAR MIGRATION

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

Abia State Government says it is committed to partnership with multi lateral and donor agencies on ways to move the state forward.

The state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, who stated this when he received a delegation of the International Organization For Migration (IOM), led by the representative of the mission to Nigeria, Mr. Victor Lutenco.

The International Organization for Migration is an inter-governmental organization that works to uphold the rights and well-being of migrants, promote greater understanding of migration issues and support the sustainable development of communities.

The Governor emphasized that the state government was working to curb irregular migration by focusing on infrastructural development of the state to drive its vision of job creation and reduce the level of unemployment among the people.

According to the Governor, the state government will support IOM in all aspect, and requested the organization to consider setting up an office in the state, considering the centrality of Abia to other South East/South South states.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Victor Lutenco, said one of the important priorities of IOM, is maximizing the contribution of migration to development.

He noted that with the context of the Governor’s transformation agenda, the work of IOM could be highly relevant and complementary.

Mr. Lutenco said the organization would assist in the development of policies and strategies for effective migration management, promote linkages between migration and development, play crucial role in providing humanitarian aid to migrants in crisis situation and to displaced population among other services.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU