The Kwara state Government, North Central Nigeria in its concerted effort to rid the state of all societal menace and vices, has described begging and roaming the streets by people with mental challenges as condemnable and socially appalling.
This was expressed by the Commissioner for Social Development, Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade during the concluded general evacuation exercise carried out by the Ministry within the State capital.
Afolashade lamented the menace of persistent street begging regarded as a viable business venture among some people, despite a series of dialogue, media sensitisation, and numerous social interventions of the government to the physically challenged and vulnerable in the state.
“The evacuation exercise is part of the Ministry’s responsibilities and a means to further ensure that the society is cleansed from any form of societal menace, thereby promoting environmental hygiene and values for the state,” the Commissioner emphasized.
She explained further that Kwara state would not condone street begging as it is against the law of the state; depicts laziness, while the roaming of mentally challenged persons also poses serious danger to the society.
Afolashade, during the exercise reiterated it would be continuous, adding that the Ministry would no longer take the menace with levity, warning all those involved to desist or be ready to face the wrath of law.
In the course of the exercise, there were resistance and physical assaults on the officers of the Ministry, but Officers of the Civil Defense were on ground to restore normalcy.
The Commissioner thus appreciated the pro-activeness and expertise demonstrated by the officers during the exercise while seeking the Corps continued support in subsequent assignments.
The evacuation team toured the Post Office/Taiwo-Isale, Tipper garage, Challenge/Unity Road and Challenge/GRA axis of the State capital and evacuated no fewer than 88 mentally challenged persons and beggars who were taken to one of the Ministry’s rehabilitation homes for treatment, prosecution and possible repatriation.
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