International Organisation for Migration(IOM) in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) has established a Migration Resource Centre (MRC) in Benin City, Edo State. This is in the bid to combat irregular migration in the country.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige at the inauguration said the Federal Government was taking steps to save millions of Nigerian youths from irregular migration and further expands the windows of organised labour migration in view of its significant contributions to the nations socio-economic growth.
“Migration poses a growing challenge to Nigeria. We therefore recognise the need for a better management of the organised labour migration because of its numerous contributions to the economic and social development of the country while also combating rising challenges from irregular migration with its attendant exploitative practices, human trafficking, forced labour and smuggling,” Ngige said.
According to the Minister, the Benin Migration Resource Centre will complement the centres in Lagos and Abuja as an authentic one-stop shop where potential and returnee migrants will access relevant migration information on a wide range of services.
He said, “It will help provide accurate information on regular migration procedure and required documents, expose the risk of irregular migration, give information on opportunities and advisories to improve the welfare of migrant workers”.
“This will ensure that intending and returnee migrants make informed decision about their migratory aspiration, hence minimize the risk witnessed by uninformed persons crossing the Sahara and the Mediterranean while maximizing the benefits of regular migration experience.”
He said that establishment of centre in Benin City, was strategic in view of its high incidence of irregular migration as well as human trafficking, adding that since the adoption of the National Policy on Labour Migration in 2014 by the Federal Government, it has provided the nation with a framework for adequate guidance on Migration.
The Minister stated that the job centres established by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja, Lagos, Anambra, Bauchi and Delta States which currently provide assistance to applicants on job placements and employment opportunities will in future extend its services to migration.
Earlier, the International Organisation for Migration Chief Missioner in Nigeria, Enira Krdzalic condemns the horrendous risk Nigerians and other Africans take in crossing the Sahara and the Mediterranean to Europe, saying that the centre would provide adequate information for prospective and returnee migrants.
She called on local and international stakeholders to ensure all hands are on deck to combat the challenges posed by migration through a wide range of youth empowerment programmes with the view to curbing illegal migration.
