‘If you have a brother or sister begging in Abuja, do something,’ Wike says as he declares war on beggars

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Minister (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on anyone who has a brother or sister begging in Abuja to take the person off the streets as law enforcement agents will begin to apprehend beggars from Monday, October 28th.

Wike who declared the war on street beggars in the FCT during the official flag-off ceremony of the construction of access roads in Katampe District of Abuja on Tuesday, said the resolve to rid the streets of beggars is part of the administration’s strategy to restore the image of the FCT to ensure the city competes with other major cities worldwide.

“Let me say clearly now, we have declared war on beggars because Abuja is returning to beggars’ city,” the former Rivers State governor said.

“If you know you have a sister, you have a brother who is a beggar on the road, do something, because from next week, we will carry them; we will take them out of the city.

“If you know you have a sister or brother who is a beggar, please, from next week, we’ll carry them. We’ll take them out. It is embarrassing that people will come in and the first thing they’ll see are just beggars on the road.

“Sometimes, they may be criminals pretending to be beggars. We will not allow that. So, I’m giving you a public holiday from now until Sunday. From Monday, we will pack them out.

“Let everybody know that we owe a duty to make sure Abuja competes favourably with cities of the world. We can replicate what we see overseas here, and as far as road infrastructure is concerned in Abuja, we are not going to compromise; we will use the best contractors.

“A lot of people have said that we are concentrating on Abuja; that is not correct. As I speak to you, tomorrow, Thursday, we’ll be at the area councils. On Monday, we’ll be in Kuje, Gwagwalanda, and Kwali.

“This December, we’re commissioning six roads that will total about 65 kilometres in the area councils. The attention we give to the city is the attention we give to the area councils.

“But of course, it is the city that will tell you how the place will be. If the city does not look good, you can imagine what will happen in the rural areas,” he said.

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