Honourable Commissioner for Social Development, Hajia Mariam Nna Fatima Imam PhD (3rd Left); Deputy Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Ojó Olayiwola Oyebode (4th Left); Chairman of the Committee on Business Innovation, Industry, Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Odetundun Olushola (Middle); Vice- Chairman of the committee, Hon. Haruna Addullahi Danbaba (4th right); Honourable Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun (3rd right) and others during a familiarisation visit to the State House of Assembly.
The Kwara State government has taken a strict stance against street begging and other anti social vices particularly in Ilorin metropolis where they are a growing menace.
The stance includes sanctioning of street beggers and any one that indulges in child and street hawking, and selling of intoxicating substances.
The Commissioner for Social Development, Hajia Mariam Nna Fatima Imam made this known at the Kwara State House of Assembly while speaking during a familiarisation visit to the Committee on Business Innovation, Industry, Women Affairs and Social Development.
She decried street begging and the security risks it poses, warning the people against practising it.
The Commissioner, who expressed concern over the surge particularly in street begging especially in Ilorin the Kwara State capital, warned that any one caught indulging in the practice will henceforth be made to face the wrath of law.
Hajia Imam disclosed that awareness will be created by the ministry across the state on the penalties that await those caught in the act of begging, adding that the necessary stakeholders had been involved in the routine of the ministry.
According to her, jingles will be aired in three major languages of English, Yoruba and Hausa across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The Commissioner further revealed that the aim is to rid the streets of miscreants and protect the children against abuse in any form
She added that apart from the security challenges that street begging poses, it also constitutes environmental nuisances.
She therefore urged the people to respect the state government’s stance on the development, emphasising that serious penalties await the offenders.
The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Olushola Odetundun, lauded the ministry for its swift action against street begging which he also said will become a major security challenge if it is not addressed immediately.
He said the purpose of the meeting was to get the House of Assembly to know the activities of the ministries invited, urging them to feel free to communicate any challenges they are facing to the House of Assembly.
