Beggars return to Lagos streets

Beggars are gradual findingtheir ways back to the streets of Lagos despite the state government's effort at checkmating their resurgent.When Community News visited the Beggars Colony at Ebute Metta, some beggars, mostly women and children from Northern states, were seen disturbing passers-bye for money.The state government under Mr Babatunde Fashola at the inception of his administration, dealt with beggars by transporting some back to their states of origin. Some where housed by the state government.Community News learnt that the beggars were resurfacing because the state government had relaxed on its policy against begging. Even men of the Kick Against Indiscipline who usually gave them problem, appeared indifferent to the activities of the beggars.Again, some residents of Ebute Metta, Yaba, Maryland who usually harbour these people expressed mixed feelings about their returning to the streets. While some did not see anything bad in their coming back, some saw their presence as a big minus for the mega city project of the state administration.'The beggars are part and parcel of us. We should not discriminate against them. It is the duty of the government to take care of its citizens, beggars inclusive,' Alhaji Musiliu Ayoka told Community News.Another resident of Yaba, Mrs. Ruth Adunni Williams, stated that most of the beggars were women and old men, adding it was the responsibility of the society to cater for them. 'Government must provide for the needs of these underprivileged. We must not abandon them. They deserve our attention, not discrimination.
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