By Priscilla Campbell,
Minna
Niger State government has announced total ban on street begging in the state.
Besides, the government said that it was coming up with a blueprint that would permanently discourage street begging in the state.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mohammad Sani Idris, stated this at the post-Exco briefing in Minna.
He said that the state could not continue to be a dumping ground for street beggers.
He pointed out that currently, states like Kano, Kaduna, Nassarawa among others have banned street begging in their respective states, arguing that as a result, a lot of beggers has found way into Niger State.
“It is something we must do to keep everyone safe. In view of the security challenges we have around, we are no longer ready to tolerate street begging.
“We are coming with a life time structure and mechanism drawing from our last experiences that will stand the test of time. So, by the time they are cleared off the streets, they will not come back.”
He explained that to ensure success of the programme, the Ministry is working with relevant stakeholders such as the state Ministries for Justice and Women Affairs and Islamic mallams (teachers) among others.
According to him, “Niger State will collaborate with other states to totally stop street begging. If we have the synergy, we will have an end to this menace especially, now that the political will is very high.”
Idris also stated that the ban has nothing to do with the Almajiris as their system of education has already been captured and built into the state’s educational system.
“We want to make it clear that we have not banned the Almajiris from the state. They can continue, but any one we see on the streets begging will be sent out of the state,” the commissioner further added.