Lagos Assembly bill to curb street begging scales second reading

In an effort to restore order, enhance public safety, and foster a cleaner environment, Lagos Lawmakers, during a plenary session have read for the second time a bill aimed at prohibiting street begging and addressing the escalating issue of street throughout the State.

This initiative emanated due to increasing prevalence of street begging, which is described as a social challenge that has persisted for years and now poses a threat to public safety, environmental sanitation, and the image of Lagos State.

Contributing to the debate, Hon. Desmond Elliot emphasized the need for a compassionate approach, particularly towards children found on the streets. He urged the government to remove vulnerable children from the streets while providing them with adequate care and rehabilitation, and also ensure that relevant State agencies effectively fulfill their responsibilities.

Calling for a careful examination of the bill’s provisions, Hon. Aro Moshood offered solutions to prevent possible misinterpretation or abuse by law enforcement agencies during its implementation.

Also speaking, Hon. Bonu Solomon noted that a significant proportion of street beggars in Lagos are not natives of the State. He recommended that the law should not only penalize individuals who encourage begging through indiscriminate giving but should also provide for the apprehension of adult beggars engaged in the practice.

In his contribution, Hon. Noheem Adams described the Bill as a timely intervention that would help address the issue of street begging. He advocated for the relocation of beggars from the streets to rehabilitation centers where they can receive correctional, vocational and social support. He cited States such as Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Anambra, Abia and Federal Capital as examples of governments that have implemented similar measures.

Presiding over the plenary, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, expressed that giving to the needy is a noble act, but the rate of street begging has become a source of insecurity and public concern.

He suggested that government should establish structured channels through which charitable donations can be made to genuinely needy persons while ensuring that beggars are rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.

He further advised that the proposed legislation should be harmonized with existing laws to ensure effective implementation.

Subsequently, Speaker Obasa committed the Bill to the Committee on Youth, Sports and Social Development to report its findings in two weeks.

Thereafter, The House adjourned sine die.