Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly deliberated on the idea of a law to curb street begging during Tuesday’s plenary.
If enacted, the law would also penalize residents who encourage street begging, making it an offense to give alms to beggars.
According to the lawmakers, criminal elements disguised as beggars have taken over the streets of the state.
Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, agreeing with the legislators, described street begging as a menace taking over the state. He noted how previous administrations made efforts to curb it, but the challenge persists.
Obasa stressed the need for a law criminalizing street begging and penalizing those who give money to beggars on the roads. He emphasized the importance of addressing the source of the issue to effectively curb it.
The Speaker proposed a law establishing a center where individuals can give alms, ensuring that funds reach those in need.
This approach aims to address the root causes of street begging, particularly the exploitation of children, and create responsible giving practices.
Obasa envisions the law creating a fund managed by people with integrity to provide for those in need, aligning with religious beliefs about almsgiving while reducing crime on the roads.
In summary, the proposed law seeks to tackle street begging comprehensively, addressing both beggars and those who give alms, with a focus on creating responsible and effective solutions.
