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The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has said the legislative arm is considering passing a law to curb the begging of alms on streets in the state.
Obasa spoke on the sidelines of the launch of the Ibile Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation in Lagos.
The foundation was launched at an event sponsored by Lotus Bank in Lagos.
It aims to empower underprivileged Muslims and alleviate poverty by promoting Zakat, Sadaqah, and Waqf.
Obasa explained that the proposed law would empower the state government and foundations to regulate aid soliciting.
According to him, the law will also ensure that donations reach the needy without them having to beg on the streets.
He noted that the rising number of beggars in Lagos called for a urgent overhauling and regulation.
“We are looking at how we can manage such situations to stop beggars from parading the streets of Lagos begging for alms.
“Following such legislation, anyone caught begging on the streets or aiding such, particularly among children, would also be sanctioned according to the law,” Obasa said.
