Enugu inaugurates committee to check baby factories

The Enugu State Government has moved to check the proliferation of baby factories in the state by setting up a committee on child adoption.

Over the years, several baby factories, where young mothers give birth and, most often, sell their babies, have been discovered in the state, as well as other parts of the South East.

The Committee on Child Adoption, which is to address all prevalent illegalities in child fostering and adoption, is headed by the Archbishop of the Enugu Anglican Province and Bishop of Enugu, Most Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma.

Inuagurating the committee at the Government House, Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, warned that his administration would not fold its hands to watch rules and laws on child adoption abused in the state.

Ugwuanyi expressed regrets that, despite existing laws and the best efforts of government and other concerned agencies, cases of illegal child adoption and fostering have continued to rise.

He described the prevailing situation, where children are often abandoned, or sold as commodities, as unacceptable.

According to him, the establishment and operation of illegal child adoption facilities was a major cause for concern.

Ugwuanyi admitted that prevailing child adoption practices were not in line with constitutional provisions.

“While we acknowledge the right and the necessity for the childless, or benevolent couples to adopt motherless children and orphans, we believe that there is need for strict compliance with due process and the provisions of relevant laws to guarantee the security and well being of the affected children.