The Lagos State House of Assembly has commenced legislative action to prohibit street begging and tackle the growing menace of street urchins across the state, as a bill seeking to ban the practice scaled second reading during Wednesday’s plenary.
The proposed legislation is aimed at restoring order, improving public safety and promoting a cleaner environment in response to the increasing prevalence of street begging, which lawmakers described as a long-standing social challenge affecting security, environmental sanitation and the image of Lagos.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Desmond Elliot (Surulere 1) called for a compassionate approach, particularly towards children found begging on the streets, urging the government to remove vulnerable children from the streets, provide them with adequate care and rehabilitation, and ensure that relevant state agencies effectively discharge their responsibilities.
Supporting the Bill, Hon. Aro Moshood (Ikorodu 2) stressed the need for a careful review of the bill’s provisions to prevent possible misinterpretation or abuse by law enforcement agencies during implementation.
Also speaking, Hon. Bonu Solomon (Badagry 1) observed that many street beggars in Lagos are not indigenes of the state, proposing that the law should not only sanction individuals who encourage begging through indiscriminate giving but also provide for the apprehension of adult beggars engaged in the practice.
In his contributions, the Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Adams, described the bill as a timely intervention, advocating the relocation of beggars to rehabilitation centres where they can receive correctional, vocational and social support. He cited states such as Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Anambra and Abia, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, as jurisdictions that have adopted similar measures.
Presiding over the plenary, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, acknowledged that giving to the needy is a noble act but that the rising rate of street begging has become a source of insecurity and public concern. He recommended that the government establish structured channels for charitable donations while ensuring that beggars are rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.
The Speaker also directed that the proposed legislation be harmonised with existing laws to ensure effective implementation before committing the bill to the House Committee on Youth, Sports and Social Development for further legislative work.
The committee is expected to submit its report within two weeks.
