Leadnaija
Senator Ali Ndume has urged the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to consider establishing a dedicated camp—similar to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) facility—for beggars in the FCT.
LeadNaija reported that during a recent Senate session, Ndume argued that rather than criminalizing street begging through arrests, the FCT administration should explore more humane solutions by providing shelter, food, and vocational training to those living on the streets.
“Let’s not just arrest them. Let’s have a camp, feed them, and train them, like they do in Kano and other states,” Ndume proposed.
In response, Minister Wike acknowledged the suggestion but expressed skepticism about its feasibility. He noted that the FCT may not have the resources or infrastructure to maintain such a program effectively.
“Even if you provide for them, some of them will still return to the streets to beg,” Wike remarked, citing behavioral and systemic challenges in addressing urban poverty.
The exchange highlights ongoing debates over how best to manage street begging in the nation’s capital, balancing welfare with urban order.
