A High Court judge, Theresa Obot, has called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to establish a reliable database and a robust monitoring system for children living in alternative care. The directive aims to address critical gaps in how the state tracks vulnerable minors, which the judge warned could leave them open to abuse and exploitation.
The judge noted that the absence of a centralized and accurate record of children in non-parental care arrangements makes it difficult for authorities to ensure their safety and well-being. Without such data, children in foster care, kinship care, or residential facilities may effectively disappear from the state’s oversight.
The directive to establish a reliable database and stronger monitoring system follows concerns regarding the protection of minors who cannot live with their biological parents.
Addressing gaps in child welfare monitoring
Alternative care refers to a range of arrangements including foster care, kinship care, and institutional care such as orphanages. While these systems are intended to provide a safe environment for children in need, the lack of a formal tracking mechanism in Akwa Ibom creates significant security risks.
Judge Obot emphasised that a lack of data prevents the government from conducting effective inspections and regular check-ins. This absence of visibility increases the likelihood of children being subjected to domestic abuse, human trafficking, or forced labour without the state being able to intervene in a timely manner.
A functioning database would allow social welfare officers and legal authorities to monitor the living conditions, educational progress, and health status of every child in the system. It would also provide a mechanism to verify the legitimacy of care providers and ensure that any changes in a child’s placement are legally documented and supervised.
The call for a stronger monitoring system also places the responsibility on the Akwa Ibom government to ensure that child protection laws are not just existing on paper, but are actively enforced through digital and physical oversight. The judge’s observation suggests that current methods of managing vulnerable children are insufficient to meet the legal and moral requirements of child protection.
The Akwa Ibom State Government is yet to issue a formal response regarding the timeline for the implementation of such a database or the specific technological framework that will be used to maintain these records.
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