The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned that beggars would no longer be allowed on the streets of Abuja.
The Minister lamented that the influx and activities of the beggars in Abuja have become an embarrassment to the city.
Wike added that some of the beggars are not real beggars but criminals pretending to be who they are not, thereby fuelling the insecurity in Abuja.
He, therefore, declared that from next week, city officials would begin to take out street beggars from Abuja and warned those who may have links with such beggars to take them off the streets before the security clampdown begins.
According to him, the grace period to take the beggars off the streets expires on Sunday, while they will begin flushing them off the streets as from Monday.
Naijaonpoint reports Wike made the declaration on Tuesday during the flag-off of the construction of an access road from Ring Road 1 by N16 to the Judges Quarters as well as the construction of internal roads within Judges Quarters in Katampe District.
He said; “In terms of security, let me say it clearly now. We have declared war. Abuja is returning to beggars’ city. I mean, if you know you have a sister, you have a brother who is a beggar on the roads, from next week, we will carry them. We will take them out (of the city). I mean, it is embarrassing that people who come in, the first thing they see are just beggars on the road. Sometimes too, they may not be beggars. They may be criminals pretending to be beggars. We will not allow that.
“So, I am giving a public order; from now till Sunday is the grace period. From Monday, we will pack them out. Let us know that we have a city that we can call a city. It is very embarrassing. We are fighting insecurity, and people will carry plates as if they are…, maybe they will be informants.
“So please, have it at the back of your mind that it is not only infrastructure that we are providing. We want to give you good security so you can sleep well with your two eyes closed.
“I know that some of you may not be happy. Sometimes we don’t need to make you happy. Sometimes we don’t need to. What is important is that we must do our work. If you are not happy, there is nothing we can do. The security and well-being of the people are key and that is why I have told the National Assembly members that for us, we will do everything that is required to continue to make sure that people will know that the National Assembly is doing all they can do to support. Their role is to pass the budget on time. Ours is to implement. And I know that by 2025, they will also give all their support, because I know they will always stand to approve our budget”.
Wike disclosed that the road project will be ready by May next year, adding that his administration will continue to touch other sectors and as well carry the Area Councils along in developments.