Wahab Warns Against Patronising Street Beggars, Says Support Encourages Return to Streets

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has urged residents to desist from activities that encourage street begging and other forms of nuisance on the state’s roads.

Wahab made the call in a response to a social media user who raised concerns about the continued presence of street beggars and other street-involved persons in different parts of Lagos.

He said the Lagos State Government had consistently apprehended and dislodged what he described as “street urchins” from various locations across the state.

According to him, however, the continued financial support and patronage they receive from some influencers, celebrities and members of the public inadvertently encourage them to return to the streets.

He noted that such support could make street begging appear to be a lucrative means of livelihood and, in some cases, breed a sense of entitlement among those involved.

“While we fully acknowledge that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure the safety, security, and orderliness of our streets, we must also recognise the role that individual actions play in sustaining these challenges,” Wahab said.

The commissioner urged residents to desist from activities that could inadvertently encourage lawlessness, insecurity, street begging and environmental nuisance on Lagos roads.

He stressed that collective responsibility and cooperation between the government and residents were essential to building a safer, cleaner and more orderly Lagos.

“We therefore urge everyone to desist from activities that may inadvertently encourage lawlessness, insecurity, street begging, and environmental nuisance on our roads,” he said.