- Agency Report
The Kwara House of Assembly has urged the state government to ensure enforcement of the state’s Street Begging Prohibition Law.
The lawmakers said this was to curb the ugly trend and its negative consequences on the society.
The plea was sequel to the resolutions of the House on a Motion of Notice titled “Need to Control the Trend of Street Begging in Kwara State and Mitigate the Associated Security Risk”.
The motion was moved by Abdullahi Halidu Danbaba (APC/Kaiama/Kemanji/Wajibe) during plenary on Wednesday.
While reading the resolutions of the House, the Speaker, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, implored the office of the Secretary to the State Government to set up a committee to assess the scope, causes and security implications of street begging.
He said the committee should come up with measures that will help in mitigating the menace in the society.
Danbaba while leading the debate said the growing trend was not only undermining public order but also exposes vulnerable individuals to abuse, trafficking and threat to the safety and well-being of residents.
Other lawmakers in their contributions urged Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq to direct the State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development to set up Community-Based Taskforce.
The lawmakers said that the taskforce would help to identify, report and support the reintegration of beggers in the society.
Meanwhile, the House had earlier read for the first time a Bill to amend Secret Cults and Secret Societies Prohibition in the state.
The Bill, when passed, will impose stiffer penalty for offenders and other related matters. NAN