The Lagos State Ministry of Youths and Social Development has established a Special Task Force to eradicate street begging in the state.
The Task Force comprises representatives from various government bodies, including the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Youth, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, Lagos State Task Force, and the Nigeria Police Force.
The spokesperson for the ministry, Adeola Olabisi, in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Wednesday, stated that the inauguration took place at the state secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, adding that the Commissioner of the Ministry of Youths and Social Development, Abolaji Ogunlende, was appointed as the Chairman.
Olabisi also noted that the commissioner, during the brief ceremony, said the Special Task Force was necessary due to the insufficient results from previous efforts, such as stakeholder meetings with Arewa community chiefs and sensitisation programmes.
The statement added that the commissioner emphasised the present administration’s commitment to enhancing the social safety net while addressing the issue of street begging.
“Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, emphasised the importance of taking decisive steps to combat street begging.
“Additionally, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu advised the Task Force to implement immediate, medium, and long-term measures to address the menace of street begging,” the statement partly read.
Olabisi added that resolutions from the inaugural meeting included embarking on extensive sensitisation and advocacy, issuing a seven-day ultimatum, conducting rescue operations, relocating apprehended beggars to either Agbowa or Igando Internally Displaced Persons camps, and strengthening penalties for street begging through legislative action by the State House of Assembly.