Relief for Abians in South Africa as Otti Moves to Bring Home More Stranded Returnees
Families of Abians worried over relatives caught up in the wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa may soon heave a sigh of relief, as the Abia State Government begins moves to bring home another batch of affected citizens.
The State Government said it is already working to identify and verify Abians who are stranded or facing threats in South Africa, with arrangements underway for their voluntary return and reintegration.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Kanu said the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection had continued to coordinate efforts to protect Abians affected by the attacks, adding that the ministry was engaging leaders of the Abia community in South Africa to locate other citizens requiring assistance.
For families in Abia, the move offers a measure of hope amid fears over the safety of their loved ones thousands of kilometres away.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner revealed that the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Aba has handled eight cases of sexual and gender-based violence this year involving victims aged between four and 25.
According to him, the victims were allegedly abused by neighbours, landlords or relatives.
Kanu said the centre was providing medical, psychosocial and educational support to the victims while working with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
In the education sector, the State Government is to commence a mandatory five-day orientation programme for 4,074 newly recruited teachers.
The programme, Kanu said, is designed to strengthen teaching standards and improve learning outcomes in public schools across the state.
The government has also dismissed reports that tricycle operations have been banned in Abia.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, described the report as false, urging tricycle operators to maintain law and order in the course of their operations.
The Abia development comes against the backdrop of growing concern over xenophobic attacks on African nationals in South Africa.
President Bola Tinubu has called on the African Union to consider sanctions against the South African government over the persistent attacks, with the call conveyed on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
