International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has launched a Community-Based Reintegration (CBR) project in Benin City, Edo State.
The project was, “Promoting Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods for Returned Migrants and Unemployed Youths through Commmunity-Based Reintegration.”
IOM Chief of Mission, Franz Celestin who was represented by the Programme Manager, Mr. Abram Tamrat said that the project seeks to contribute to sustainable reintegration for returned migrants and create livelihood opportunities to local communities.
He said that the project will set up a multi-purpose vocational skill training facility, combined with a wood factory to be implemented in collaboration with the private sector and the Edo State Skill Development Agency (Edojobs) to assist returnees and unemployed youths within the commmunity to have access to socio-economic opportunities.
The wood factory, NAT Limited, is located in Benin City.
Financier of the project, the Switzerland government’s message was presented by Monvel Mvhelebach, a Programme Manager who represented the Swiss Embassy.
He expressed optimism that the collaboration with other stakeholders intl the project, including IOM was important to give meaning to the lives of returned migrants.
A Programme Manager of IOM, Saskia Lol said that the project which is scheduled to last for 18 months embraces key partners and focuses on employment generation and skills acquisition for returned migrants to have means of sustainability.
An IOM Snr. Project Assistant, Benin Office, Aigbeze Uhimwen identified stakeholders in the project to include Benin Technical College which is expected to provide the manpower needs, Edojobs, NAPTIP and the private sector.
Disclosing that the beneficiaries would get starter pack at the end of the project, he said that the choice of location is driven by its data base.
According to him, “Despite the synergises approaches and efforts taken by the state government to address unemployment and positively engage its teeming youths through various programmes, Edo State still ranks as the most endemic for irregular migration and human trafficking. Hence, addressing the root cause of irregular migration and providing income generating support through community based approaches is essential intervention to bring together initiatives that directly support the reintegration process of returning migrants and at the same time involving the local community in order to respond to the local neds.”
He listed IOM CBR projects in areas of high incidence of returned migrants in Edo State to include, pineapple farm in Iguobazuwa, Cassava processing plant in Uhunmwode Local Government Area and a fish farm set up in collaboration with the state ADP in Oredo Local Government Area, while plans are on to set up more in the state.
