BY: AYO AGBEOLUWAYE

The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed for second reading a bill seeking to ban street begging and curb street truancy as part of efforts to improve public safety and tackle a growing social challenge in the state.

The proposed legislation aims to reduce the increasing number of beggars on Lagos streets, which lawmakers say poses risks to public safety, environmental sanitation, and the state’s image. The bill also seeks to promote rehabilitation and reintegration for vulnerable people instead of relying solely on punitive measures.

During the debate, Desmond Elliot called for a humane approach, urging the government to remove vulnerable children from the streets, provide them with proper care and rehabilitation, and ensure relevant agencies carry out their responsibilities effectively.

Aro Moshood, representing Ikorodu Constituency I, urged lawmakers to carefully review the bill to prevent abuse or misinterpretation by law enforcement officers during implementation.

Also contributing, Noheem Adams described the bill as a timely response to the growing problem of street begging. He proposed relocating beggars to rehabilitation centres where they can receive vocational training, correctional support, and social services. He noted that Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Anambra, Abia, and the Federal Capital Territory have adopted similar measures.

Speaking after the debate, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said while supporting the less privileged is commendable, the rising rate of street begging has become a security concern. He called for structured channels for charitable donations and urged that the bill be harmonised with existing laws to ensure effective implementation if passed into law.