Street begging: Lagos Assembly passes prohibition bill for second reading
Lagos State Assembly Advances Bill to Ban Street Begging
The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a second reading aimed at prohibiting street begging throughout the state. Lawmakers raised concerns Wednesday about the increasing number of beggars on highways and in public spaces, citing threats to public safety and environmental sanitation.
In a statement from the Public Affairs Directorate of the Assembly, the proposed legislation seeks to create a legal framework to address what lawmakers regard as a persistent social issue impacting security, public hygiene, and Lagos’s reputation as Nigeria’s commercial hub.
During the plenary session, Assembly members shared various perspectives on implementation, with many advocating for rehabilitation and welfare support for beggars rather than relying solely on punitive measures.
The bill follows recent actions by the Lagos State Government to reduce street begging. On Tuesday, authorities announced the arrest of 396 individuals engaged in begging during a statewide enforcement operation. Those apprehended will undergo profiling before being repatriated to their states of origin.
Desmond Elliot, the representative for Surulere Constituency I, highlighted the need for a compassionate approach, particularly for children found begging on the streets. He proposed relocating vulnerable children to rehabilitation programs that would offer proper care, education, and social support. “Relevant government agencies should be strengthened to fulfill their responsibilities,” Elliot stated.
Aro Moshood, representing Ikorodu Constituency II, called for a comprehensive review of the bill to prevent potential misuse or misinterpretation by law enforcement once enacted.
Bonu Solomon, who represents Badagry Constituency I, noted that many street beggars in Lagos are not residents of the state. He suggested that, in addition to targeting those who beg, the legislation should discourage indiscriminate almsgiving, which he argues perpetuates the issue.
Noheem Adams, representing Eti-Osa Constituency I, welcomed the bill as a timely initiative and recommended that street beggars be relocated to rehabilitation centers for vocational training and counseling.
Speaker Mudashiru Obasa acknowledged the importance of supporting the less privileged but pointed out the growing security concerns associated with street begging. He proposed structured channels for charitable donations to ensure support reaches genuinely vulnerable individuals and emphasized the need for rehabilitation and successful reintegration for those found begging.
Obasa instructed that the proposed legislation be aligned with existing laws to ensure effective implementation once passed. Following the debate, the Speaker referred the bill to the House Committee on Youth, Sports, and Social Development for further examination, directing the committee to submit its report within two weeks.
The House then adjourned plenary indefinitely.