To ensure the welfare and safety of vulnerable children in Imo State, the Imo State government has closed down ten substandard orphanage homes and revoked operational licenses.

The closure was done after a comprehensive accreditation process and thorough inspections.

The Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Nkechinyere Ugwu, announced the decision in a statement on Monday, emphasizing that government has made it clear that it is dedicated to maintaining operational standards in orphanage homes.

She added that orphanage centres that do not meet the required standards had been identified and are being closely monitored.

She said, “Over the weekend, I held a meeting with operators of orphanage homes. After painstaking and comprehensive accreditation, and with information derived from our inspections, I found it expedient to release a list of moribund, closed, and/or suspended orphanage homes in Imo state.

“I did this in the spirit of upholding the operational standard of Orphanage Homes in the State. As a sequel to this, I have released the list of 10 moribund, closed and/or suspended orphanage homes whose licences are revoked. Let it be known that anybody dealing with the affected Homes is doing so at their peril.

“Under the leadership of Senator Hope Uzodimma, the government is out to ensure that every Orphanage Home operates under the laid down rules and regulations guiding the operation of Homes in the State

“The general public is hereby cautioned to desist from dealing with the affected homes. Note that they have been placed on watchlist to monitor any and all of their activities going forward.”

The list of affected homes are Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ Children Center, Oguta; Eziama Motherless Children’s Center, Eziama-Ngor Okpala; Tolotolo Family Children’s Center World Bank, Owerri; Royal Family Children’s Center, Akabor; Super Joy Children’s Center, Owerri and Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood, Umumbirindiuno, Ahiazu Mbaise.

The rest are Prince Evans Motherless Babies Home, Umuolei village, Awo Idemili; Father Love’s Orphanage Home, Orlu; God is Life Care Relief Home, Ezukwu Ubonukam Onicha Ezinihitte Mbaise and Global Initiative for Motherless Babies Home and Refuge, Imo State