Edo to shut down orphanages operating as business centres

The Edo State Government has threatened to close down and prosecute orphanages operating as business centres.

The Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues, Maria Edeko, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin yesterday, said the government would set up a committee to monitor and audit orphanages in the state.

He said the committee will formulate holistic policies on the management of orphanages and adoption in line with the state’s Child Rights Law.

“Orphanages are charity homes set up to cater for children without parents, those beyond parental care and other vulnerable persons, whose parents may be alive but are unable to cater for them. But today, our people have a misconception about these homes and see them as business ventures.

“They build orphanages with the intention to make  profit, rather than for charitable purposes. Some even add a maternity side by side with the orphanage where they deliver people of babies and turn the place into a baby factory.

“Orphans are vulnerable persons; they are subject to all forms of exploitation; they are vulnerable to being trafficked, abused and sold.’’

She said as the ministry with the responsibility to investigate any adoption process, they are committed to sanitising the system.

Edeko said only orphanages that are for true charity will be allowed to function in line with the standards set by the government.