Lagos Commissioner Tells Celebrities: Stop Giving Beggars Money
Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, is grappling with a rising menace of street begging, with groups of young men targeting motorists and vandalising their cars in exchange for money. Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, has urged Lagosians to desist from actions that encourage this menace.
Street Begging on the Rise in Lagos
The trend of street begging has been on the rise in Lagos, with videos circulating on social media showing young men in their hundreds chasing down flashy cars and refusing drivers access until they are given money. The groups of street urchins have also targeted luxury-looking cars, with some drivers reporting that they were forced to give in to their demands to avoid possible conflict and damage to themselves and their cars.
Commissioner Faults Celebrities and Influencers
Commissioner Wahab faulted celebrities, influencers, and members of the public whose actions of giving beggars money encourage them to return to the streets. He stated that the state government has consistently apprehended and dislodged these street urchins from various locations across the state, but the continued financial support and patronage they receive from some individuals inadvertently encourage them to return to the streets.
Government's Efforts to Curb the Menace
The Lagos state government has been actively arresting and dislodging beggars across the state, but the menace persists. Commissioner Wahab urged everyone to desist from activities that may inadvertently encourage lawlessness, insecurity, street begging, and environmental nuisance on our roads. He emphasized the need for collective responsibility and cooperation to build a safer, cleaner, and more orderly Lagos.
Motorists' Concerns and Safety Risks
The rise in street begging has increased concerns for the safety of motorists, with videos circulating online showing beggars vandalising cars of drivers who refuse to give them money. Recently, the sister of Afrobeats superstar Ayra Starr lamented how her car was vandalised by street beggars after she failed to give them money. Afrobeats star Mavo and content creator Samuel Banks also reported damage to their cars by street boys begging for money.
Government's Next Steps
With the growing concerns about street begging in Lagos and its threat to lives and properties, it is expected that the government will redouble its efforts to curb the menace. Commissioner Wahab's statement has sparked a debate on social media, with some observers arguing that the funds given to beggars are to avoid possible conflict and damage to themselves and their cars rather than an act of encouraging the beggars.
Source: Pulse.ng
