Kwara moves to eradicate street begging, hawking to address social vices
In an effort to get the state rid of social vices like street begging, street hawking, child labour and abuse, the Kwara state government, through the Ministry of Social Development has sought collaboration with the State Judiciary to use legal means in forestalling social vices in the state.
The Commissioner for Social Development, Hon. Mariam Nnafatima Imam made this known recently during her official visit to the Chief Judge of Kwara State, Hon. Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara, in his office, at the High Court of Justice, Ilorin.
According to a statement from the ministry, the statement is commited to ensuring upliftment of the less privileged and eradication of social vices to make the state safe for all residents, adding that concerted effort is being made on regular basis to nip the issues of street begging, hawking and other social vices in the bud but minimal result has been achieved because the offenders keep repeating the acts.
The Commissioner also noted that the best approach to forestalling street begging menace is through legal means where offenders are charged to court for prosecution and sentenced or heavily fined without delay, to serve as deterent to others, making partnership with the State Judiciary a necessity.
She reaffirmed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s continous support to ensure safety and well-being of all residents, especially, children, vulnerable groups and other disadvantaged members of the state, intimating the Chief Judge on the need to properly engage the traditional rulers in the state to tackle some of the social vices through the traditional institutions.
In his remark, the Chief Judge of Kwara State, Hon. Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara, commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s exemplary leadership and unrelenting efforts at ensuring social equity and justice in the state.
Hon. Justice Adebara also appreciated the Commissioner for her proactiveness and foresight in ensuring that the Ministry of Social Development is taking the lead in securing social responsibility and uplifting the disadvantaged members of the state.
He noted that the State Judiciary will collaborate with the Ministry on strategic action plans and implementation of policies and programmes to eradicate street begging, hawking and other social vices in the state.
