“The Delta Government acted in good faith and within the ambits of regulations, which Anambra Government acknowledged with gratitude,” he stated.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Delta State Government has debunked the rumour of the deportation of a female beggar to Anambra State from Asaba.
In a statement on Sunday, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olisa Ifeajika, said the rumour was false.
He stated that Ogochukwu Nwabude, 32, begged for alms at the Inter Bau Roundabout on Asaba-Okpanam Road for about two weeks while carrying her baby.
Ifeajika contended that the insinuations in some quarters that the woman was deported by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa or Delta State Government were most uncharitable.
According to him, a check was conducted on the woman by officials of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
“After observing her for a period, it was revealed that she was stable and of sound mind, but needed financial help.
“And moved by her need, and as with standard procedure in handling such matters, the ministry gave her some assistance, especially as she was with a baby.
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“Thereafter, it returned her to its counterpart Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Anambra for necessary support,” he added.
Ifeajika explained that the measure was a routine activity on similar cases, which often transpired among states in the country and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Anambra State Government was grateful to its Delta counterpart for the effort and promptly began the process of assistance to the woman.
“The Delta Government acted in good faith and within the ambits of regulations, which Anambra Government acknowledged with gratitude,” he stated.
Ifeajika added: “It is necessary to state that other states in the country had returned some of our citizens to us at different times and still do.
“It is a normal routine that should not be politicised because it bothers on serious humanitarian service.
“What Delta Government did was the routine procedure in rehabilitating persons of that nature and it is the standard practice among states in the country.
“We provided her with some assistance and returned her to her state of origin to ensure that she is properly re-integrated into society.”