LASG inaugurates special Taskforce to curb street begging

To sustain the momentum in eradicating street begging, the Lagos State Government (LASG) through its Ministry of Youth and Social Development has established a Special Task Force.

The Task Force comprises representatives from various government bodies, including the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Youth, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, Lagos State Task Force, and the Nigeria Police Force.

The inauguration took place on Tuesday at Ikeja the State Capital, with Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, appointed as Chairman.

During the brief ceremony, Mr. Ogunlende highlighted the necessity of the Special Task Force due to the insufficient results from previous efforts, such as stakeholder meetings with Arewa Community Chiefs and sensitization programmes.

He emphasised the present administration’s commitment to enhancing the social safety net while addressing the issue of street begging.

Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, emphasised the importance of taking decisive steps to combat street begging.

Additionally, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu advised the Task Force to implement immediate, medium, and long-term measures to address the menace of street begging.

Resolutions from the inaugural meeting included embarking on extensive sensitisation and advocacy, issuing a seven-day ultimatum, conducting rescue operations, relocating apprehended beggars to either Agbowa or Igando Internally Displaced Persons Camps, and strengthening penalties for street begging through legislative action by the State House of Assembly.