DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT INAUGURATES TWO SEXUAL ASSAULT REFERRAL CENTRES

The Delta State Government in it's desire at ensuring that sexual and gender based violence is brought to zero tolerance has inaugurated two sexual assault referral center at Warri South and Ughelli North local government areas of the state. The Commissioner for Women affairs Community and social development Mrs floral Alatan said at the inauguration ceremony that governor Ifeanyi Okowa's administration is determined at ensuring a safe atmosphere for rape victims. The Woman Affairs Commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry Mrs Oghenekevwe Agas said the sexual assault referral centre was of international best practice to bring socour to victims of rape, where victims could get fair hearing, from ministry of justices , social welfare officers from the office of women affairs as well as from medical health personals. She called on stakeholders in partnership with the sexual assault referral centre to ensure quick response to victims of rape inorder not to lose facts that could facilitate investigation into rape issues. The Commissioner also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian governor's wives forum for partnering with the ministry of women affairs at establishing sexual assault referral centres in the three senatorial district of the state, while also thanking the wife of the state governor Dame Edith Okowa for being the focal point in Delta State, through which the ministry got support from the Nigerian governor's wives forum stressing that Government has also promised to build resident for affected victims, who may have been assaulted by close relatives. The Medical Director warri central hospital Dr Okolo Jonathan and his canterpart in Ughelli Central hospital Dr Valentine Aziashi commended the state government and promised to do all within their limit inline with the policies of establishing the sexual assault referral centre. 

 The warri south local government chairman Honourable Michael Tidi represented by the secretary of local government Mr Joesph Oribioye said the sexual assault referral centre would help to solve cases of sexual assault and bring its occurrence to the barest minimum. In their good will messages the chairperson FIDA , Representative from the ministry of Justices, Barr. Eseoghene Epete, the police officer in charge of Juvenal welfare Centre Superintendent Odih Abigail as well the Head of Nurses , Ughelli Central hospital Mrs keisena Arotura said government was apt in their decision at establishing the sexual assault referral centre promising that all hands will be on deck to achieve set goals.