Reps To Probe Abuja Rehabilitation Centre, Social Protection Programs

…Seek Lasting Solutions To End Street Begging In FCT


Nigerian House of Representatives has resolved to mandate it’s Committee on Disabilities to investigate the Abuja Rehabilitation Centre and Social Protection Programmes of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
This was sequel to a motion moved by Hon. Bashiru Dawodu during Wednesday plenary on the Need to Investigate the Abuja Rehabilitation Centre and the Social Protection Programmes of the
FCT.
Hon. Bashiru Dawodu who is also the chairman of the House Committee on Disability Matters noted that on 22 October, 2024 the FCT Administration declared war on street begging with the aim to restore Abuja’s image and enhance security;

Hon. Bashiru Dawodu representing Oshodi Federal Constituency2 of Lagos State who was concerned that begging is an age long-standing social ill in Nigeria, FCT
worried that the strategy has failed because it provides only a short term solution as the Beggars soon return probably in a changed location.
According to the motion,the house is ” aware that the Federal Capital Territory has one semi-functional rehabilitation center in Bwari which is underfunded and provides suboptimal services;
“Cognizant that lack of effective long-term solutions like rehabilitation, monthly survival allowance, Almajiris feeding and internally displaced persons resettlement will result in endemic begging;
“Also cognizant that if the lack of adequate funding and ineffective Social protection programmes persist Street begging will remain intractable”.