Govt To Remove Destitutes From Streets

The Rivers Government is to remove beggars and destitute from streets in the state in a bid to rid the state of beggars, destitute and lunatics.

Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Stella Toby,?who made the announcement?in an interview with?newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday said that beggars,?destitute and mentally-ill people?were constituting problems?on some major streets and roads in the state.

Toby?said the State Government had set up a special committee charged?with the responsibility of restoring sanity?on?major areas of the state.

“Most of the beggars are from neighbouring states and I can assure you that they will be removed from the streets and repatriated back to their respective states,” she said.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr Mina Jamabo, said that about 113 beggars, destitutes and lunatics had already been removed from the streets adding that some of the affected persons had been taken to the state’s?rehabilitation centres for treatment.

Jamabo said that?non-indigenes had since?been repatriated to their various states, while the indigenes would be treated by the government until they were fit to re-unite with their families.