By Mercy Obojeghren
Asaba, April 21, 2022 (NAN) The Permanent Secretary of the Delta Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs Oghenekevwe Agas, has said the state was ready to sanction violators of the Child Rights Act, adding that the Child Law prohibits taking advantage of children to beg.
The permanent secretary stated this on Thursday in Asaba while officially handing over one minor, Miss Esther Igwe to her grandmother, Mrs Elizabeth Igwe, who was released from prison custody on March 17 2022.
Agas, who had initially handed over Mrs Igwe and six others over to the police early this year for posing as blind women and using children to beg in Warri and environs, made her to sign an undertaking not to repeat such act.
According to Agas, shortcuts to life don’t proffer solutions to problems.She however warned that the state government would not relent in its fight against trafficking in persons and clamping down on offenders engaged in child labour or any other illicit act contrary to the Child Rights Laws guiding the state.
On her part, Igwe appreciated the ministry for releasing her grandchild to her, saying that she engaged in the act of begging as a trade after her son had been locked up for partaking in the ”ENDSARS” protest.She said that the prison life had reformed her, adding that she had now resorted to selling pure water and mineral drinks for a living.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)