The House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed concern over the intractable menace of street begging and Almajiri in the Federal Capital Territory.
Therefore, the House resolved to probe the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s social protection programmes and assess the condition of its rehabilitation centre for street beggars and Almajiris located in Bwari Area Council.
This decision was reached on Wednesday following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Bashiru Dawodu, the representative of Oshodi-Isolo 1 Federal Constituency, Lagos State, titled, “Need to Investigate the Abuja Rehabilitation Centre and the Social Protection Programmes of the FCT.”
Dawodu highlighted that on October 22, 2024, the FCT Administration declared a crackdown on street begging as part of efforts to restore Abuja’s image and improve security.
He noted that many street beggars are individuals with disabilities, while other contributing factors include the Almajiri system, poverty, unemployment, and internal displacement.
The lawmaker described street begging as a long-standing societal issue in Nigeria, noting that since 2003, successive FCT Administrations had employed law enforcement agents to apprehend, prosecute, or repatriate beggars.
However, he criticised the approach, stating that it provides only a temporary fix, as beggars often reappear in new locations.
Dawodu pointed out that the FCT has only one semi-functional rehabilitation centre in Bwari, which is underfunded and delivers subpar services.
He emphasised the need for sustainable, long-term solutions, such as effective rehabilitation programmes, monthly survival allowances, Almajiri feeding initiatives, and proper resettlement plans for internally displaced persons.
“If the lack of adequate funding and ineffective social protection programmes persist, street begging will remain an intractable problem,” Dawodu warned.
The House subsequently mandated its Committee on Disabilities to investigate the Abuja Rehabilitation Centre and the FCT’s Social Protection Programmes, and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
