RESIDENTS of Lagos State have lamented the reappearance of beggars at popular locations in the State despite the Government’s pledge to evacuate and relocate them.
A report by the Guardian affirms that beggars of different age groups, both young and old, can be seen in various strategic locations, begging for alms, despite the Government’s promise in 2022 to evacuate them off the roads across the metropolis.
Recall that Olusegun Dawodu, the immediate past Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, had during a briefing, which had former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, and the then Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu in attendance, in Alausa, expressed the Government's determination to eradicate street begging and all forms of nuisances off the State.
According to Olusegun Dawodu, the State had set up a special task squad to curtail the menace, adding that the measure had become necessary to rid Lagos of all risks and environmental degradation associated with their activities and stop the act of begging in the street.
However, the State seemed to have been overwhelmed by the increasing number of homeless persons and beggars, who move to Lagos in their numbers due to its high commercial activities.
These beggars, who are able-bodied men and women with only a few of them with disabilities and some nursing mothers, can be seen plying their trade around Ikorodu Roundabout, Mile 12, Ketu, Oshodi, Railway road, Agege, and Iyana Ipaja, opposite Ikotun-Igando BRT Bus Stop, Berger area of Ojodu, Alaba Rago, Lagos State University (LASU)/Iyana Iba axis, located on the Mile 2 – Badagry Expressway, Lekki Expressway by Jakande Junction, as well as other popular spots in Lagos.
