Lagos — Government may have stepped up moves to curb forced trafficking of Nigerians to Europe as it launched a multilateral project to tackle the problem recently.

The initiative involving the Federal Government, the European Union, and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) aims to among others improve the protection and reintegration of victims of trafficking.

The project which is being hosted by the Ministry of Labour on behalf of the Federal Government and to run for twenty four months also aimed at boosting the capacity of Nigerian agencies involved in the prosecution of traffickers.

The project which is to cost €1.2 million (N220 million) is being funded by the European Union.

Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu who launched the EU sponsored programme at the United Nations building in Abuja praised the international collaboration as another evidence of the global endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan's sincere efforts in putting Nigeria on a higher footing.

The launch was also graced by the Country and Anglophone West Africa Director of the ILO, Mrs. Sina Chuma-Mkandawire, the Head of the EU Delegation in Abuja, Mr. David Mcrea, Resident Coordinator of the UN in Nigeria, Mr. Daouda Toure, Mr. Goder Yohannes of the ILO Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour and senior officials of the Ministry of Labour.

"This project would impact directly on the life of the ordinary Nigerian who is naturally hard working but inadvertently might have fallen victim of traffickers and smugglers in persons," Chief Wogu said.

"We welcome this collaboration with the ILO and it is a testimony to the respect and dignity that the Nigerian government under the able leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan is now held by the international community," Wogu added.

"It is therefore the resolve of my Ministry not to leave any stone unturned in seeking an end to this inhumane, dangerous and exploitative trade," the Minister said as he charged Nigerians not to succumb to the entreaties of the traffickers.

Noting that the launching of the programme was auspicious, Chief Wogu said:

"It is pertinent to mention that this project has come at the appropriate time. A time when the effects of the global economic crisis are still strong and developing countries like ours are wrestling with its accompanying job crisis."

"We are not unaware of the need for collective and collaborative efforts with the private sector and other nations in overcoming challenges posed by the economic crisis and its impact on jobs," Wogu said as he commended the ILO and other stakeholders for their contributions to the programme.

Earlier, the Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Nigeria, Mr. Toure, in his remark had noted that trafficking in persons is a crime and an abuse on an individual's human rights.

"Being trafficked results in the sustained physical and psychological abuse of the victim solely for financial gain and it starts the moment the individual is deceived, persuaded or forced into the hands of the traffickers," Toure said.

The project officially titled "Enhancing the cooperation to fight trafficking in human beings from Nigeria to Europe" is to run for twenty-four months and is to be hosted by the Ministry of Labour.