WOMEN AFFAIRS COMMISSIONER, OBINABO CLEARS BEGGARS, CHILD HAWKERS, OTHERS FROM MAJOR JUNCTIONS IN THE STATE CAPITAL.
A joint task force from the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare and Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA Brigade, has cleared more than fifty street beggars and out-of-school children hawking from the streets of Awka and environs.
The action, according to the ministry, was to sanitize the state and pave way for easy flow of traffic, rescue out of school children in order to achieve the present administration's clean, green and sustainable megacity agenda.
Areas visited include Arroma, Regina Ceali Junction, UNIZIK Temporary Site, Akwata Junction, Amawbia Bypass, Eke Awka Market among others.
The team arrested more than fifty men, women and children who hail from different parts of the country.
Speaking shortly after the raid, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Hon Ify Obinabo, observed that there was an increase in the rate of children who hawk within Awka and beyond, with other evidence of child labour and exploitations that contradict the Child's Rights Law which the State is a signatory to.
Hon Obinabo restated that Anambra State Government frowns at child labour in any guise and reiterated that any child seen at school hours during week days would be taken and sent to school.
In a chat with the ABS, some of the beggars, Uju Obie, Afam Nweke and Ifeoma Chukwu said hardship and lack of assistance led them into begging as they could not fend for their children.
They said if assistance could be rendered to them to start up some businesses and put their children back to school, they would quit alms seeking for good.
Some passersby, Messers Dozie Obionwu and Emeka Adiene, commended the state government for its efforts in restoring sanity in the capital city and also encouraged it to sustain the measure in order to save the future of the children.
More photos below.
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