If you know any beggar in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), then Minister Nyesom Wike has a message for you.
“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”, Wike scream.
For Wike, there is nothing as embarrassing as when a person steps foot in the city and is welcomed by beggars who are littered on the streets.
To make things worse, Wike revealed that many of this beggars are not beggars but criminals disguised as beggars.
They are wolfs in sheep clothing.
“We have declared war”, Wike echoed as he spoke about the rising insecurity ravaging the FCT.
The former Rivers State Governor spoke during the flag-off of the construction of an access road from Ring Road 1 by N16 to the Judges Quarters and internal roads within Judges Quarters in Katampe District on Tuesday, October 22.
Wike Vs Abuja Beggars
Indeed, Wike knows that the decision to end street begging in Abuja will affect some people.
He noted that the government is fully aware that some people will not be happy with the move.
But guess what?
Wike said that it does not matter, what must be done, must be done.
According to the Minister, beggars have till Monday.
That day will be the end of street begging in the city. According to Wike, enforcement will begin immediately.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to not just providing infrastructure in the FCT, but good security for residents and visitors.
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.
Public Order
“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.
Wike disclosed the role of the National Assembly in the fight against insecurity in Abuja.
According to him, swift passing of the budget will enable ministers do their jobs which is the implement what the budget was meant for.
His words: “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”.
“If you have a brother or sister who is a beggar on the road, from next week we will carry them”
— FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike pic.twitter.com/rH1gfM1kUH
— Abuja Community (@AbujaCommunity) October 23, 2024
