The Kwara State House of Assembly has called on the state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to fully enforce the existing law prohibiting street begging across the state.
This appeal was part of the House’s resolution following a motion titled “Need to Control the Trend of Street Begging in Kwara State and Mitigate the Associated Security Risk,” which was moved by Hon. Abdullahi Halidu Danbaba (APC – Kaiama/Kemanji/Wajibe) during plenary on Wednesday.
In his remarks, Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu directed the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to establish a committee to examine the extent, causes, and security impact of street begging in the state.
He emphasized the need for the committee to also propose effective strategies to curb the issue.
Leading the debate, Hon. Danbaba stated that the increasing rate of street begging was not only affecting social order but also putting vulnerable individuals at risk of exploitation, human trafficking, and other dangers.
Other members of the Assembly also lent their voices to the discussion, urging Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq to instruct the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development to create a community-driven task force.
The proposed task force would be responsible for identifying individuals involved in begging, reporting incidents, and facilitating their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
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 introduce tougher penalties for those found guilty of such offenses.