The House of Representatives on Wednesday raised alarm over the persistent issue of street begging and the Almajiri system in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Concerned by the impact of these issues on Abuja’s image and security, the House resolved to probe the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) social protection programmes and assess the conditions of its rehabilitation centre for street beggars and Almajiris in the Bwari Area Council.
This resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Bashiru Dawodu, representing Oshodi-Isolo 1 Federal Constituency, Lagos State. The motion, titled “Need to Investigate the Abuja Rehabilitation Centre and the Social Protection Programmes of the FCT,” highlighted the urgency of addressing these long-standing societal challenges.
Dawodu noted that on October 22, 2024, the FCTA launched a crackdown on street begging as part of efforts to restore Abuja’s image and enhance security. He observed that many street beggars in the city are individuals with disabilities, with other contributing factors including poverty, unemployment, the Almajiri system, and displacement caused by internal conflicts.
While acknowledging that successive FCT administrations since 2003 have employed measures such as law enforcement crackdowns to apprehend, prosecute, or repatriate beggars, Dawodu criticised this approach as a short-term fix. He pointed out that such efforts have merely led to beggars relocating to new areas rather than addressing the root causes of the problem.
Dawodu also highlighted the inadequacies of the FCT’s only rehabilitation centre in Bwari, describing it as semi-functional, underfunded, and delivering substandard services. He stressed the need for sustainable and effective solutions, including well-funded rehabilitation programmes, monthly survival allowances for vulnerable groups, Almajiri feeding initiatives, and resettlement plans for internally displaced persons.
He warned that unless these challenges are addressed with adequate funding and effective social protection programmes, the problem of street begging would persist unabated.
In response, the House mandated its Committee on Disabilities to investigate the state of the Abuja Rehabilitation Centre and evaluate the effectiveness of the FCT’s social protection programmes. The committee is expected to report back within four weeks with recommendations for further legislative action.
