Stakeholders at a public hearing organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly on a bill seeking to prohibit street begging and street urchins in the state have described the proposed legislation as long overdue, citing cases of beggars allegedly using knives and other dangerous weapons to force money from passersby.
The stakeholders spoke on Tuesday during the public hearing on the proposed law to prohibit street begging, street urchins and related activities in Lagos State.
Speaking at the hearing, the Lagos State Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Uchena Akingbade, said the menace was particularly serious along the Lekki-Epe corridor and called for urgent action, including the possibility of declaring a state of emergency in affected areas.
Akingbade urged lawmakers to avoid ambiguity in the proposed law and recommended stiffer penalties for beggars found in possession of dangerous weapons.
She also called for a clear definition of the provision on the “prohibition of loitering for the purpose of begging” and urged the government to establish more rehabilitation centres.
Arc. Gbolahan Oki, a White Cap Chief who spoke on behalf of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, recalled the menace allegedly caused by area boys, particularly during the EndSARS period.
Oki, a former General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), said some offenders were undeterred by arrest because they believed they would soon regain their freedom as drug Lords can pay the fines and get them released for nefarious activities.
He also made a case for the rehabilitation of the Itekule concept, where those found culpable can be made to serve the society, producing bread and more.
“The culprits don’t see arrest as anything because they know the police nets are filled up and they know they will be out soon. What can curb the menace is to be subjected to two years of hard work,” he said.
Another stakeholder, Emmanuel Ikule, Executive Director of Elixir Trust Foundation, urged lawmakers to consider beggars suffering from mental health challenges, saying such persons should be referred to appropriate psychiatric and rehabilitation centres.
Ikule cited areas such as Pen Cinema and Ojodu-Berger, where he said some individuals allegedly used knives at night to force money from unsuspecting members of the public.
Speaking on behalf of the youths, Adigun Olalekan expressed support for the bill, citing the daily influx of people into Lagos without proper identification and calling for measures to address the situation.
