Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to prohibit street begging, street urchins and other related vices across the state, as lawmakers cited rising security concerns and the need to restore public order.
The proposed legislation, titled A Bill for a Law to Prohibit Street Begging, Street Urchins and Related Vices in Lagos State and for Connected Purposes, received unanimous support during plenary.
Leading the debate, members of the Assembly argued that the growing presence of street beggars and street urchins had become a security challenge, alleging that criminal elements often disguise themselves as beggars to perpetrate crimes.
Speaking in support of the bill, Hon. Desmond Elliot cautioned against criminalising poverty. He urged the Assembly to adopt a humane approach by making provisions for rehabilitation centres to accommodate and reform individuals removed from the streets.
Elliot also expressed optimism that the proposed establishment of state police would strengthen enforcement of the law when operational.
Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. David Setonji, stressed that poor enforcement had undermined several existing laws, urging the Assembly to include the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps among agencies responsible for implementing the proposed legislation.
Also contributing, Hon. Bonu Solomon lamented what he described as weak implementation of previous laws enacted by the Assembly. He claimed that about 95 per cent of street beggars in Lagos were non-indigenes and urged that the bill should address not only adult beggars but also individuals who encourage begging through indiscriminate giving of alms.
Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Adams, described the bill as timely, noting that some northern states and the Federal Capital Territory had already introduced similar measures to curb street begging and street urchins.
In his remarks, Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa said the proposed law was not intended to discourage charity but to regulate it in a manner that promotes public safety and order.
According to the Speaker, criminals increasingly disguise themselves as beggars, particularly at night and during traffic congestion, posing security risks to motorists and pedestrians.
Obasa also condemned the exploitation of women and children for street begging, describing it as a practice driven by individuals who profit from vulnerable people.
He proposed that the government establish dedicated institutions where members of the public could channel donations, while those removed from the streets would receive rehabilitation, welfare support and other social services through organised government programmes.
The Speaker said such a system would reduce street begging, improve security and eliminate criminal elements operating under the guise of soliciting alms.
Obasa further maintained that many people engaged in street begging were not residents of Lagos, adding that the state should not continue to bear the burden of unchecked migration associated with begging.
He also backed provisions to sanction those who encourage street begging through indiscriminate giving, declaring, “If there is no giver, there will be no beggar.”
While acknowledging concerns over enforcement capacity, the Speaker insisted that the absence of adequate infrastructure should not prevent the state from enacting the law. He called on the government to establish holding and rehabilitation centres across various districts to facilitate effective implementation.
Obasa noted that the bill was still at the proposal stage and urged lawmakers to make further recommendations before its final passage to ensure it adequately addresses both security concerns and humanitarian considerations.
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