Poverty not root cause of illegal migration – German envoy

The German government has said that poverty is not responsible for illegal migration to Europe.
The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Annett Gunther, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
According to her, poverty cannot be the root cause of irregular migration because people who migrate to Europe are not the poorest citing the North East as an example.
“The people who migrate to Europe are not the poorest.
“You have a situation where people from the very poor like in North East Nigeria where there is conflict and poverty, amongst others.
“What happens there is displacement; regional migration.
“They go to neighbouring countries because they cannot afford to go to Europe.
“They do not have the money for the agents who smuggle them through illegal routes.
“The people who have the money and decide to go to Europe are usually kind of educated and have some money. They’re not the poorest.
“I will not say poverty is the root cause of migration either legal or illegal.
“Many people who migrate – even if they are not the poorest – are still looking for a better life – better life for their children, better education and others,” she said
She stressed the need for the government to address the shortage or lack of basic amenities such as health, education, security, and jobs, to tackle illegal migration to Europe.
She said that the provision of basic social amenities would reduce the desire by young people to risk their lives going through the wrong and dangerous routes to get to Europe in search of greener pastures.(NAN)