TheCable

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it will clampdown on shelters and homes offering rehabilitation services to trafficked individuals over “non-compliance with regulations”.

Fatima Waziri-Azi, NAPTIP director-general, spoke at the end of a strategic meeting with officials of relevant departments and units of the agency in Abuja on Friday.

She said that despite the extension of the grace period given to organisations to comply with the regulations, only two of them — Pathfinder Justice Initiative and the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF)— have fully complied.

Waziri-Azi said 6 other organisations have partially complied with the regulations.

She said they include The Second Voice Foundation; Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria; Patriotic Citizens Initiatives; Rays of Hope Community Foundation; Kids with a Vision Foundation; and Emmanuel World Children Foundation.

These 6 organisations, according to her, have registered on the online clearance portal but were yet to schedule an inspection to their facilities by the team responsible.

“Following the expiration of the ultimatum issued to organizations that operate Shelters and Homes offering services for the purpose of the rehabilitation of trafficked persons in Nigeria to obtain a license in accordance with the Trafficking in Persons (Control of Activities of Organizations and Centres) Regulations 2019, which has since expired, the Management of NAPTIP, wishes to inform the public, members of the Civil Society Organization (CSOs), Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Development Partners, Donor Agencies State, and other stakeholders on the compliance of this Regulation by the affected organizations,” the NAPTIP DG said.

‘’The Agency had on two occasions extended the ultimatum issued to organizations. The extension was because of the intervention of the Network of Civil Society Organizations Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), to give organizations time to meet up with the deadline.

“Regulation 2019 was issued by the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN on October 9, 2019.

“The Regulation gives NAPTIP the powers to control and issue clearance certificate to travel agents or tour operators and intending travelers for the purpose of educational excursions; recruitment for labor; sporting activities; cultural, music excursions or competitions; and licenses to all organizations, shelters and homes offering services for the purpose of rehabilitation of trafficked persons.

‘’The Regulation was necessitated by the disturbing cases of the recruitment and exploitation of Nigerians under the guise of labour migration, educational, cultural, and musical excursions; and sporting-related travels in some destination countries, including ensuring that operators of shelters and homes offering services for the rehabilitation of trafficked persons humanely conduct their businesses within the ambit of the law.

‘’However, despite the extended ultimatums, consultations and sensitizations, many organizations have failed to comply. As a result, erring organizations risk immediate shutdown.”

Waziri-Azi further advised donor agencies, development partners and the public to note the organizations that have complied either fully or partially with the regulations and be careful whom to deal with going forward.