A bill seeking to prohibit street begging in Lagos State has scaled second reading at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Lawmakers read the bill for the second time during plenary, describing it as a measure designed to restore order, enhance public safety, and promote a cleaner environment across the state.
Proponents say the legislation has become necessary given the growing prevalence of street begging in Lagos, a trend that has persisted for years and now poses risks to public safety, environmental sanitation, and the state’s overall image.
Lawmakers weigh in
Contributing to the debate, Desmond Elliot called for a compassionate approach, particularly concerning children found begging on the streets. He urged government agencies to remove vulnerable children from the streets and provide them with proper care and rehabilitation, while ensuring relevant state bodies live up to their responsibilities.
Aro Moshood urged a thorough review of the bill’s provisions, proposing safeguards to prevent the law from being misinterpreted or abused by law enforcement officials during implementation.
Bonu Solomon pointed out that many street beggars in Lagos are not indigenes of the state. He recommended that the law penalise not just those who encourage begging through indiscriminate giving, but also provide for the apprehension of adult beggars themselves.
Noheem Adams described the bill as a timely intervention, advocating for beggars to be relocated to rehabilitation centres where they could access correctional, vocational, and social support services. He cited Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Anambra, Abia, and the Federal Capital Territory as examples of jurisdictions that have adopted similar measures.
Speaker’s remarks
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, acknowledged that giving to the needy is a noble act but noted that rising rates of street begging had become a source of insecurity and public concern.
He proposed that the state government establish structured channels for charitable donations to reach the needy, while ensuring that beggars are properly rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. He also advised that the new legislation be harmonised with existing laws to ensure smooth implementation.
The bill was subsequently referred to the Committee on Youth, Sports and Social Development, which has been given two weeks to report its findings.
