The Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to prohibit street begging across the state.

Lawmakers said the proposal would strengthen security, improve public order and promote environmental sanitation while addressing the growing challenge of street begging.

They described the bill as a timely response to a long-standing social problem affecting public safety, sanitation and Lagos State’s image.

“This initiative emanated due to the increasing prevalence of street begging,” lawmakers said during debate on the proposed legislation.

They added that street begging had persisted for years and now posed “a threat to public safety, environmental sanitation, and the image of Lagos state”.

Lawmakers also stressed rehabilitation and vocational support for beggars alongside protection for vulnerable children affected by the practice. They further called for safeguards against possible abuse by law enforcement agencies during implementation of the proposed law.

Contributing, Desmond Elliot, representing Surulere constituency, urged authorities to adopt a compassionate approach, particularly toward children found begging on Lagos streets.

He said vulnerable children should be removed from the streets and provided with adequate care, rehabilitation and protection.

Mr Elliot also urged relevant state agencies to effectively discharge their statutory responsibilities in tackling street begging and child welfare.

Aro Moshood, representing Ikorodu II Constituency, called for careful examination of the bill’s provisions before its eventual passage.

Mr Moshood said lawmakers should address areas that could lead to misinterpretation or abuse by law enforcement agencies during enforcement.

Bonu Solomon, representing Badagry I Constituency, observed that many street beggars in Lagos were not indigenous residents of the state.

He recommended penalties for people who encourage begging through indiscriminate giving, while supporting the apprehension of adult beggars engaged in the practice.

The majority leader, Noheem Adams, described the bill as a timely intervention capable of addressing the persistent challenge of street begging.

Mr Adams advocated relocating beggars from the streets to rehabilitation centres that offer correctional, vocational, and social support programmes. He cited Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Anambra, Abia and the Federal Capital Territory as examples implementing similar measures against street begging.

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said charitable giving should be channelled through structured government platforms rather than indiscriminate street donations.

Mr Obasa said genuine beggars should be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society through coordinated government interventions. He referred the bill to the House Committee on Youth, Sports and Social Development for further legislative scrutiny.

The committee is expected to report back to the House within two weeks for further consideration of the proposed legislation.

(NAN)