Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has revealed the intention of his administration to hit hard against street begging, saying it has become an embarrassment to the state government.
Speaking at the 2013 edition of the annual Ajumose New Year’s party for the physically challenged in Ibadan, Ajimobi said his administration had concluded plans to begin the arrest of beggars and their removal from streets all over the state capital.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on People Living with Disabilities, Mr Paul Adelabu, however promised that his government would continue focusing on empowering those living with disabilities in order to make them self-dependent such that they can make positive contributions to the growth and progress of the country.
To make this happen, the governor said various skill acquisition programmes had been put in place for them. He urged them to take advantage of the programme because at the end of the training, his government would provide them with money and tools required for them to make money.
Governor Ajimobi said he was aware that many beggars on the streets of the state capital are from other states and pledged that within the next two weeks, a task force would be commissioned to take them off the street.
He thus warned that the street beggars must begin to either take advantage of the opportunity provided by the government or to move out of the state, as anyone arrested would face the law.
He advised members of the public to learn to mix freely with the physically challenged, as they are human beings who need love and care. He also appealed to members of the public to regard physically challenged persons as part of them and always care for them.
