- Proprietress handed over to police
An illegal orphanage home located at Ashaka, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, has been closed down by the state government.
The home was closed down for failure to comply with the provisions of the Child Rights Act as domesticated by law in the state.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs Flora Alatan, ordered closure of the home, ”Foster Paradise”, during an unscheduled visit by officials of the ministry on Sunday, April 18.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Oghenekevwe Agas, emphasized that orphanage homes must comply with the rules and regulations guiding their establishment.
Alatan noted that the Foster Paradise Orphanage home did not meet up with the requirements for approval, before admitting 22 children under its care.
While speaking with the proprietress, who was handed over to the police, Alatan said that the home did not follow due process, as prescribed by the ministry’s guidelines in line with extant laws.
She added that the orphanage home was unable to provide any detailed documentation for the number of children in their custody.
The commissioner said that the safety of the children was the priority of government.
The 11 male children, were transferred to a government approved orphanage home; ”Orem Orphanage” in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state, while the 11 female children were relocated to ”Ojone Orphanage” in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local government.
The proprietress of the Foster Paradise Orphanage, Mrs Antonett Eze, said she had just relocated from Lagos and had begun the registration process, but was yet to acquire the license.