Kwara Assembly Calls For Full Enforcement Of Street Begging Ban To Tackle Security Risks

Ilorin, Kwara State: The Kwara State House of Assembly has urged the state government to ensure the full enforcement of the Kwara State Street Begging Prohibition Law, in a move aimed at curbing the growing trend and addressing its social and security consequences.

This call followed a motion of urgent public importance titled “Need to Control the Trend of Street Begging in Kwara State and Mitigate the Associated Security Risk”, moved by Hon. Abdullahi Halidu Danbaba (APC, Kaiama/Kemanji/Wajibe) during Wednesday’s plenary.

In its resolution, the Assembly implored the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to constitute a committee to assess the scope, underlying causes, and implications of street begging.

The committee is expected to recommend effective measures to mitigate the menace.

Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, who read the resolutions, emphasised the need for a multi-sectoral response, stating that unchecked street begging not only disrupts public order but also poses risks such as abuse, trafficking, and a general threat to the safety and well-being of residents.

Danbaba, while leading the debate, expressed concern over the rise in street begging and its negative impact on societal development.

Other lawmakers echoed his sentiments, calling on Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to direct the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development to establish community-based taskforces.

The proposed taskforces would identify, report, and support the rehabilitation and reintegration of beggars into the society, the lawmakers said.

In a related development, the House also conducted the first reading of a Bill seeking to amend the law prohibiting secret cults and societies in the state.

The proposed amendment aims to impose stiffer penalties on offenders and related activities.