#ChildLabour: Any Child seen roaming around during school hours will be picked up by Police – Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu
#ChildLabour: Any Child seen roaming around during school hours will be picked up by Police – Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu
IMO STATE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS AND VULNERABLE GROUPS
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
The Imo State Government has observed with utter dismay the rampant movement of children on the streets and major roads in Owerri, begging and/or hawking food items and other wares during school hours when their mates are in the classrooms learning. This act is inexcusable and tantamount to child abuse, child labour and negligence. Our attempts to privately curb this menace did not yield the desired result.
To this end, parents and guardians of such children are hereby warned to stop exposing the innocent children, especially the girl-child, to rape, kidnapping, bullying, pickpocketing and other social vices encountered in the course of hawking and trading. Hawking by children is illegal and destructive to the child’s future, deprives children of their childhood, and interferes with their ability to attend regular school. It is also contrary to the 3R Policy of the Shared-Prosperity government led by the Governor, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma which is committed to protecting the Rights of the Child.
Consequently, the State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Group, Owerri, hereby issues one week notice to all Parents/Guardians who send their wards to hawk, trade, or beg on the streets, to stop immediately and return them to school. Henceforth, any child seen roaming the streets begging or selling items during school hours and dusk hours, would be picked up and a police report for child labor and abuse entered. The parent/guardian may face possible prosecution and/or fine by the Court of Law.
Please be warned! Protect our children, send them to school for a better tomorrow.
Signed:
Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu
Hon. Commissioner
Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Group, Imo State.
