The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development has established a Special Task Force to curb street beggin in the state.
This Task Force comprises representatives from various government bodies, including the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Youth, Lagos Neighborhood Safety Agency, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, Lagos State Task Force, and the Nigeria Police Force.
The inauguration of the task force took place on Tuesday at Alausa, with Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, appointed as Chairman.
During the brief ceremony, Mr. Ogunlende highlighted the necessity of the Special Task Force due to the insufficient results from previous efforts, such as stakeholder meetings with Arewa Community Chiefs and sensitization programs.
He emphasized the present administration’s commitment to enhancing the social safety net while addressing the issue of street begging.
Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, emphasized the importance of taking decisive steps to combat street begging.
Additionally, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mrs Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu advised the Task Force to implement immediate, medium, and long-term measures to address the menace of street begging.
Resolutions from the inaugural meeting of the task force include embarking on extensive sensitization and advocacy, issuing a seven-day ultimatum, conducting rescue operations, relocating apprehended beggars to either Agbowa or Igando Internally Displaced Persons Camps, and strengthening penalties for street begging through legislative action by the State House of Assembly.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
