Information Commissioner Condemns Child Labour, Supports Action Plan Launch

UYO
Given the hazards and forced labour children are exposed to, the commissioner for information has condemned child labour with an assurance to ensure the successful launch of its proposed Action Plan in the state.
  Comrade Ini Ememobong, who made his position known on Thursday, when he played host to members of the Secretarial unit of the Akwa Ibom State Steering Committee on Child Labour,  Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Information Headquarters, Uyo, described exposure of children to work beyond their age as unimaginable and sad.
  He noted that setting children to tasks  they were not physiologically and anatomically prepared for, was an abuse with lingering negative impact on them.
  Such impact as observed by the commissioner could lead to children who grow into hardened adults, adding that such adults could easily  inflict pains on others because they were exposed to elements and trauma early in life.
  The information helmsman, therefore, urged that the message and dangers associated with child labour be taken to the public as a way of preparing children to become better leaders in the future.
  While applauding the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for the work done so far to tackle child labour, he  commended the steering committee for the energy and time invested to draft an action plan for the state, and pledged active partnership towards the execution of the plan.
  Earlier, the state controller of labour, Mr. Amuboh Oroghene,  who solicited more support from the commissioner in the fight against child labour, using multidimensional approach, assistance in printing the proposed action plan and in informing the governor about the development, appreciated him for past partnership in  sensitising the public on the need to desist from child labour.
   Represented by a member of the Committee, Mr. Henry Okpon, he disclosed that the state steering committee, made up of different MDAs, had come up with an action plan that would soon be launched in the state as part of its mandate.
  Oroghene highlighted the six thematic areas of the plan to include, policy, legal and enforcement framework; institutional arrangement Coordination; awareness raising and mass mobilisation; child  protecting prevention; monitoring, evaluation and review as well as research and special surveys.
  The event featured presentation of the action plan to the commissioner.