By Austin Ogwuda
MEMBERS of the Delta State House of Assembly have passed a Bill prohibiting human trafficking in the State with attendant consequences against the violators.
The Bill titled ‘Delta State Human Trafficking Prohibition Bill 2024 was read the Third time and passed after its consideration at the Committee of the Whole, during Wednesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor.
Guwor described the passage of the Bill which has been communicated to the Governor for assent as a significant step towards combating human trafficking in Delta State.
The Speaker through his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Nkem Nwaeke said, “At our plenary on Wednesday, we took a bold step towards safeguarding our citizens from the scourge of human trafficking. I commend members for their unwavering support and dedication to this cause.
“My colleagues and I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that laws passed by the State Assembly translates into tangible positive change for our people”, he stated.
Recall that sometime in July this year while the Bill was presented for a Second Reading, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi (PDP-Aniocha North) leading the debate stated that the Bill seeks to protect victims of human trafficking as well as help them get the needed justice.
He said the Bill comprising of 10 Parts and 50 Clauses also seeks to criminalise the act of human trafficking in Delta State, saying that
“it is heart-breaking to note that human trafficking has been on the increase in recent years. We will ensure that we put a stop to it here in Delta”.
Nwaobi further explained that the Bill becoming Law would ensure the establishment of an Inter-agency Taskforce to collaborate with sister States to fight the human trafficking menace to be chaired by the Delta State Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice.
On her part, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu (PDP-Oshimili South) commended the State Executive for the bold step to check human trafficking via the Bill.
She pointed out that a total of 920 persons were trafficked between 2014 and 2022 in Delta State, adding that “globally, over 21 million people are victims of human trafficking and 78 per cent of them are women and girls”.
