Amidst the surge in crime linked to begging, the Lagos State Government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has embarked on zero tolerance against street begging, vowing not to tolerate the act henceforth in any part of the state.
Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, on Thursday stated that at least 50 street beggars were taken off the road while leading” Special Rescue Operations,” launched by the ministry, in collaboration with the Lagos State Task Force, with a mission to sanitize the state of street begging in Lekki axis.
Ogunlende, stressed that; “The act of begging or using babies to solicit alms is not part of our religion or culture. It doesn’t support the socio-economic growth of any state.
“It is counterproductive because some of the so-called beggars have been discovered to be involved in criminality.”
He continued, “Before embarking on resuscitating the “Special Rescue Operations” primarily aimed at enforcing the relevant sections of the State Government Laws as well as the Child Rights Law banning begging, the Ministry had carried out massive advocacy and sensitisation to help Lagosians, especially the public-spirited ones, know what to do concerning helping the less privileged in the state.
“Street begging has been banned in Kano, Kaduna and other states in Nigeria.
“So why not Lagos State? We advise those who want to help the less privileged among us to take their gift items be it cash or materials to our Homes or Centres designated to help the needy.”
Speaking on the”Special Rescue Operations”, the Permanent Secretary, Pharm (Mrs) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, said the ministry decided to embark on the exercise following a series of reports from residents to the ministry who complained of being incessantly harassed by street beggars.
“Series of reports reaching the Ministry from Lagosians bordering on being harassed by beggars on the street prompted us to embark on this exercise to sanitize the State.
“Every Lagosian irrespective of religion or tribe deserves a safe environment to live, work or do business without molestation. This we will achieve by showing zero tolerance for street begging,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
The Permanent Secretary cautioned individuals who use infants to beg for alms to cease this practice and pursue lawful endeavors, because those caught engaging in such activities will be subjected to the full force of the law.
|Vanguard
