Ogun State government has warned street beggars to desist from the act
of street begging or face punitive measures of sweeping market square
for two weeks.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Mrs.
Funmi Efuwape gave the warning while addressing destitute caught roaming
the street of the state capital at Women
Development Centre, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta.
Efuwape said she observed that most times many able-bodied men and women
were seen loitering around, begging for money within Ibara Housing
Estate, Panseke, Iyana Mortuary, and major bus stops within the state
capital.
She went further to state that she expected people to be more vigilant
and concerned with their health, especially during this pandemic period,
adding that they should rather focus on decent livelihood as
able-bodied people instead of street begging.
“I observed that every morning, most of you are always loitering about,
especially within Ibara Housing Estate begging for money, and you are
able-bodied, sane, and sound.
“Some of you have been empowered financially at one time or the other and you have diverted the money to unprofitable ventures.
“This is just a warning, after this, any street beggar caught, will be
made to sweep market for two consecutive weeks as well as wash the
public toilets” she warned.
The Director, Rehabilitation Services, in the Ministry, Prince Adetoye
Adeshina said there was a shed built by the state government for the
destitute, where they could stay during the day before retiring to their
various homes at night. He emphasised that after this warning, any
beggar caught loitering along the streets in the state capital would be
severally dealt with.
