BY JETHRO IBILEKE
November 25, 2010 12:24AM


European countries have a big role to play in efforts to curb the menace of human trafficking, secretary to the Edo State government, Pally Iriase, has said.

Mr. Iriase, who spoke yesterday in Benin City, when he granted audience to a German delegation, led by the Consul-General of Germany to Nigeria, Walter von den Driesch, said the state was ready to partner with Germany to combat the scourge.

Mr. Iriase said the state was blessed with natural resources, and expressed surprise that any of its residents would allow themselves to be trafficked.

He, however, noted the culpability of some European countries in the menace, saying it takes two to tango.

“We are not enjoying stigmatization that has arisen as a result of some of our daughters involved in this ignoble act of human trafficking. We are well travelled, and we know that if you find yourself in a place and there is no conducive atmosphere in which to ply your trade, certainly nobody will tell you to scamper back. But on our part, we are not resting on our oars. It is an ongoing war that is being waged relentlessly here,” he said.

Lamenting the treatment being meted to Nigerians as a result of this, Mr. Iriase said: “We are not also happy with the kind of suspicious eyes with which they look at Nigerians.”

Serious at containment

He assured the German delegation of the full support of the state government. Coordinator of the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters, Olufunke Abiodun, noted that the issue of human trafficking is a global menace and a product of development. She said the federal government was serious about tackling illegal movements of persons, and that her agency has recorded a number of successes in this regard.

Mr. von den Driesch, in his remarks, commended the people of the state for their hospitality.

“We have seen the beauty, the nice atmosphere of the people, and I can say that Benin-City is a place to be,” he said.


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