Kwara Commissioner for Social Development, Mrs Opeyemi Afolashade has said the ministry has evacuated no fewer than 88 mentally challenged persons and beggars from the streets of Ilorin.
The commissioner told journalists on Thursday in Ilorin that this was after the general evacuation exercise carried out by the Ministry within the State capital.
She said the evacuation exercise which held between Nov. 24 and Nov. 30 was between Post Office/Taiwo-Isale, Tipper garage , Challenge/Unity road and Challenge/GRA axis.
Mrs Afolashade said the evacuated persons were taken to one of the Ministry’s Rehabilitation homes for treatment, prosecution and possible repatriation.
She however described begging and roaming the streets by people with mental challenges as condemnable and socially appalling.
“The evacuation exercise is part of the Ministry’s responsibilities and a
means to further ensure that the society is cleansed from any form of societal menace, thereby promoting environmental hygiene and values for the state.
”The menace of persistent street begging regarded as a viable business venture among some people, despite series of dialogue, media sensitisation, and numerous social interventions of the government to the physically challenged and vulnerable in the state is worrisome,” Afolashade said
She explained further that Kwara State would not condone street begging as it is against the law of the state; depicts laziness, while the roaming of mentally challenged persons also pose serious danger to the society.
She reiterated that the exercise would be continuous, adding that the Ministry would no longer take the menace with levity, warning all those involved to desist or be ready to face the wrath of law.
