The sponsor of the motion, Bridget Anyafulu, a member of the Oshimili South constituency, emphasised the need to curb the menace and put measures in place to arrest sex workers and youths using illicit drugs. She also spoke out against the rising incidence of open sex trade and the use of illicit drugs among youths in the state and its surroundings.
Marilyn Daramola-Okowa, a representative for the Ika North East district and the daughter of the state’s most recent governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, seconded the proposal.
Daramola-Okowa also requested that Sheriff Oborevwori, the governor of the state, give the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, and other pertinent government agencies instructions to conduct training, campaigns, and sensitization programmes, including counselling, rehabilitation, and the placement of posters and signage in key locations throughout the state to inform and raise awareness about the risks associated with the use of illegal drugs and commercial sex.
In addition, she urged people to support law enforcement organisations so that they can successfully apprehend and prosecute commercial sex providers and dealers in compliance with the state’s legal requirements.
Other lawmakers who spoke in favour of the motion included Pekins Umukoro (Chief Whip), Emeka Nwaobi, Majority Leader, Marilyn Daramola-Okowa, a representative for Ika North East, and Oboro Preyo, a representative for Bomadi. They urged support for law enforcement agencies’ efforts to ensure the arrest and prosecution of illicit drug dealers, commercial sex workers, and youths involved in the use of illicit drugs.
The state government, according to information obtained by SaharaReporters, is prepared to outlaw sex workers’ activities in the state, following the example of its neighbour Edo.
