Special Adviser to the Delta State governor on trade and export promotion, Mrs. Shimite Love, has raised concerns over the practice of slavery and forced labour in Delta State.
Shimite, who spoke to journalists in Asaba yesterday, frowned upon the practice of modern-day slavery, mostly in restaurants.
“I was told Delta practises slavery, but I didn’t believe it until I went out to see things for myself. I saw people really working in restaurants; they are not being paid, while some borrow money and are made to work for it for years. That is slavery.
“People are suffering slavery in the state. I don’t know about other states, but in Delta, we have already been marked as people who engage in child labour and slavery. So, we must frown upon it, and whoever engages in the act should be held responsible,” she advised.
The dehumanisation occasioned by slavery, according to her, is too much. So it is important we seek their freedom without delay.
The governor’s special adviser also revealed that “Nigeria has no business being poor or hungry, even in the midst of a high exchange rate.”
For her, opportunities abound everywhere for anyone to earn a means of livelihood and stop crying about hunger across the nation.
She expressed displeasure, however, that “Nigerians have turned themselves into a palliative country. I’m not a party to palliatives. But, while others see hunger and poverty, I see opportunities around me.”
Speaking on the issue of the pandemic and how the harsh economy affects export business, she said her office believes that when an economy is down, it is a business opportunity for someone else. When there is a pandemic, it is a business opportunity for someone, and where there is war, it is a business opportunity for someone.
Regarding the untapped opportunities in the export business, she called on those interested to tap into export business and patronise the Koko Port to ease the export of their agricultural products.
She encouraged Deltans and other Nigerians who experience delays in clearing their products for export in other seaports to patronise the Koko Port for speedy clearance, even at the lowest cost.
