Reps chart ways to tackle street begging, Almajiri in FCT

ABUJA, Nigeria  — The House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed concern following the menace of street begging and Almajiri problems in the Federal Capital Territory.

To this end, the house resolve to investigate 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.

Street beggars are individuals with disabilities, while other contributing factors affecting the FCT include the Almajiri system, poverty, unemployment, and internal displacement.

The decision to address these menace was sequence to 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 said 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.

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 argued that the approach had a temporary fix, as beggars often reappear in new locations.

Dawodu underscored 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.