By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reminded beggars in the street that the position of the administration on the act remain unchanged.
At the monthly security committee meeting in Abuja, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, the FCTA Permanent Secretary said that relevant agencies will not hesitate to enforce the law on anyone caught contravening the ban.
This is contained in a statement issued by Anthony Ogunleye, chief press secretary to the FCT minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, at the weekend.
Ohaa said the enforcement of the ban became necessary to curtail the likely influx of beggars and miscreants to the FCT following the ban on street begging by some states in the country.
The Permanent Secretary said that relevant officers have been directed to intensify public enlightenment campaigns to reiterate the ban on street begging which he said also has negative security implications. We want to ensure that the FCT does not become a safe haven to beggars that may be coming from other states that have banned street begging.”
Ohaa also stressed the need for continuous synergy amongst security agencies for effective performance. He attributed the improved security situation to the fact that security agencies have intensified their crackdown on criminals in the Territory
In his words “ all the security agencies resolved that they will work in synergy to make sure that they tackle the menace of insecurity in the city.” He said that the reduction in violent crimes like kidnapping and armed robber as well as improved compliance with traffic regulations is as a result of this improved synergy.
While calling on residents of the FCT to help improve security by always furnishing security operatives with necessary information that will help them in the proper discharge of their duties, Sir Ohaa also pledged the continuous support of the FCTA to security agencies in the FCT with the provision of logistic assistance for their operations.
Also speaking, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, said there has been a significant improvement in security in the FCT, attributing it to a renewed synergy among security agencies.
