By CHARLES IWUOHA

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has called for an organised system to support reverse migration, saying that such policy would build confidence of Nigerian returnees from foreign countries.

Governor Otti stated this while receiving the Chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche, who called on him at his office.

The State’s Chief Executive said that he has plans to collaborate with relevant Ministries to provide reintegration support for returnees, noting that many who wish to come back are often discouraged by uncertainty about where to begin their lives.

“Some of them may want to return, but they are afraid of where to even start from.

“If there are organised systems to receive them, I am confident it will encourage their return. The initiative is a form of reverse migration”, Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti, who reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating human trafficking and related crimes, maintained that his government has zero tolerance for any form of criminal activity.

“We have zero tolerance for any kind of criminal activity. Those who have decided to engage in crime have found out that this place is not comfortable for them.

“We are very focused on ensuring that all forms of crime and criminality are wiped away from this State. And human trafficking is one of them,” Dr. Otti stated.

While appreciating the International Organisation for Migration, Governor Otti underscored the significance of diaspora remittances, saying that it plays a vital role in supporting education, healthcare, and economic stability, among others.

This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Otti’s Chief press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, and made available to journalists in Umuahia.

He stressed the need for the IOM to collaborate with the Abia State Diaspora Commission, which regularly convenes stakeholders across America, Europe, Southeast Asia and beyond, in their annual December homecoming, and directed the Executive Secretary of the Commission to ensure he invites the IOM to the annual event.

Governor Otti mandated the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu to provide a temporary office space for the organisation immediately while a permanent office accommodation would be made available sooner than later.

Earlier, the Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration, Sharon Dimanche said that her organisation is interested in four immediate focus areas, including combating human trafficking, harnessing diaspora potential, supporting returnees through sustainable reintegration, and improving data management for migration governance.

While assuring that she is committed to working closely with Abia State in line with the government’s priorities, she commended Abia State Government for pioneering Diaspora Commission as well as addressing the challenges of human trafficking, illegal migration among others and assured of technical support to the government.

“We are here to work. That work should start immediately.

“I want to see how we can consider establishing structures and mechanisms that would facilitate diaspora sending back money home and investing that in community infrastructure initiatives,” Dimanche stated.

The SSG, Commissioners for Finance, Budget & Planning, Poverty Alleviation, DG, PPP & IP, SA on Policy & Intervention, the Chief Strategy Officer, the Deputy Chief of Staff, the DG Gada and the SSA on Multilateral and Donor agencies among others were present in the meeting